Chapter 5: Little Answers, More Questions
Rin was patiently waiting for Ariana to return back from her meeting with Lady Zula. Rin turned her gaze to the window and sighed, it had already turned dark outside. Lady Zula had agreed to all of Ariana's terms for the rights to the three dishes presented to her that day and dragged Ariana into her office to make things offical.
Everyone was shocked to learn that Rin was the one who made the puff pastries and that she had done so on her first try. Against everyones protests Rin became the new pastry chef of the business, with the permission of her new master. Rin thought back to what Ariana had said about her and couldn't help a warm feeling from blossoming in her chest.
"She has the necessary precision, stamina and strength needed to be an outstanding pastry chef and we would be fools not to utilize her." With those words Ariana silenced everyone's doubts.
Rin smiled to herself, she was happy that she didn't have to sell her body to pay off her debt as she was only 16 and would have eventually been forced to do so. Suddenly the door opened and the dark room was flooded with the light from the hallway. "Oh Rin, you are already here!" Ariana said joyously.
Rin hopped off the bed and knelt before Ariana. "I humbly thank you for vouching for me back there. I Rinera Bloom pledge my undying allegiance to you, my new master." Rin said loudly as she placed a fist over her heart.
Ariana walked up to Rin and wrapped her arms around her head. "All I wanted was for you to become my family." Ariana whispered gently. Rin felt something wet on her head and quickly understood that the child embracing her may have seemed mature, head strong and courageous but in reality she was still just a 12 year old girl.
Rin wrapped her arms around Ariana's tiny body and waited until the girl was ready to show her face. After a moment Ariana pulled herself back together and let go of Rin's head. She turned on the switch to her room and realized that she had no light fixture to turn on. "You haven't purchased a lamp... so we are in the dark until you can furnish your room." Rin explained as she sat on the bed.
The moon was only half full and did not provide a lot of light for the room either. Ariana sighed as she made her way to sit beside Rin on the bed. "Will you talk to me?" Rin asked softly. Ariana turned her head and looked out the window. "What do you want to know about first." Ariana replied half heartedly.
"The lights." Rin said hastily but stopped abruptly. She didn't know who would be listening in as the door to the room was wide open. Ariana got off the bed and held out her hand. "I want to take a walk, I don't think I can fall asleep after such an exciting day. Will you join me?" Ariana asked sweetly.
Rin got up and held Ariana's hand. As they walked out of the room, at the corner of Rin's eye she caught a glimpse of a someone running into their room two doors down. They quietly descended the stairs and ran into Lady Zula who was sipping tea in a corner. "Where do you think you are going?" She asked dryly.
"Need a walk, I feel all stiff from today." Ariana answered pitifully as she hugged Rin's arm. Lady Zula nodded and took another sip of her tea. "Well as long as you return before curfew I don't care."
Ariana looked at Rin curiously. "Don't worry we have about an hour and we are just walking around the block we will be back way before then." Rin said as she smiled gently. Ariana felt reassured and they both left the brothel.
After they walked half the block, Rin tugged on Ariana's arm and became somewhat serious. Ariana was caught off guard as she was pushed into a tight gap in between a pair of houses. "Try to squeeze your way through to the other side. I will meet you there after I take care of whoever is following us." Rin said before she stepped into the shadows of the night.
Ariana felt alarmed and did her best to suck in her gut and side step through the small passage. Her blood ran cold when she heard deathly screams coming from the entry way. She urged her body to move faster as she scraped bits and pieces of her skin as she moved forward.
Finally she could see the exit and pushed herself to move faster. She stumbled forward as she took her first steps into an empty backyard. Under the moon light the unkept grass looked whimsical, fireflies started to wonder into the air and there was an old stump for her to sit on.
The scene reminded her of home, so she walked over to the stump and sat down. She brought her gaze upwards and felt the night air wrap itself around her. They feeling of melancholy started to enter her heart and she couldn't stop herself from feeling miserable. She started to sing a melody to easy her heart.
"Dancing to and fro, watching the stars shine bright. Hush my little one, you'll be fine under their light. Hush my baby do not take fright for tonight you are in my arms snuggled in so tight. Hush my love as I rock you to sleep, you are my treasure so do not weep. The stars, the moon and the very night sky will watch over you my darling as I sing to you my final good-bye."
Ariana finished her song and allowed one single tear to slide down her cheek. Suddenly she heard some rustling and looked over towards the house. It was Rin, her eyes were slightly glowing red, she had half hugged herself as she looked at Ariana.
Rin blinked and the erie glow was gone, Ariana stood up and watched Rin drop to one knee. Alarms had gon off in Ariana's head and she rushed over to her. When she was close enough to Rin she reached out to touch the slash like wound on her arm.
The moment she touched it a flood of memories came pouring into her mind. This time she was more aware of her surroundings and could see beyond the the memories. She watched Rin fall backwards, she then quickly kicked herself back, pressing her body against the house as sweat started to pour down her face.
Once everything settled Ariana started to giggle. "I see... you are traumatized from the last time you interacted with my memories." Rin looked at her dumbfounded. Her mouth was wide open and she could only spit out some ums and hms.
Ariana walked all over the backyard carefully as she kept her eyes glued to the ground. "Found it!" She exclaimed as she dropped to the ground and started to dig. Rin eyed the girl as she held onto her arm. "What are you doing?" Rin asked when she saw Ariana stand up with what looked like a weed.
"Grabbing a plant to extract the inflammation from your wound. I know you heal quickly and all but what I don't know is if it takes care of infection. I would assume as a ninja you are immune to poisons. Then again you are at a brothel so I'm guessing your village no longer needs you or you got caught and were sold to the highest bidder." Ariana said bluntly, not hiding her indifference to Rin's situation.
Rin looked away and started to scowl. Ariana sighed and walked up to Rin. "No matter, you will tell me in your own time but for now we should wash that wound. Let's go inside the house. Can you kick the door down?" Ariana asked as she held out a hand for Rin to grab.
Rin stood up without the assistance. Rin looked at Ariana and gave her a small nod. "Step back." She instructed. Ariana took a step to the side and watched as Rin lifted her leg. With one powerful kick Rin kicked the door open. "You weren't going to question me?" Ariana asked as she cocked her head.
Rin looked at the girl coolly and walked inside first. "I guess not." Ariana said with a shrug and walked in after her. The house was dark and dusty, Ariana cautiously stepped around until she found the kitchen. Ariana tip toed as fast as she could until she got to the sink, she turned on the faucet and held her breath. Water started to gently pour out. "When are you going to tell me about yourself." Rin said coutly as she sat on a crate.
"Is that why you are so upset?" Ariana laughed as she rinsed the weed and washed her hands. Rin narrowed her gaze as the girl started pulling open drawers. "Honestly, I'm the child not you." Ariana said in a teasing tone as she pulled out two white cloths, she soaked one under running water and then walked over to Rin.
Ariana looked at Rin's pissed off face. While Rin in turn started to rub her temples. "I'll talk while I work, is that alright with you?" Ariana asked with a defeated tone. Rin nodded her and extended her arm. She started to wipe the blood up first, keeping an eye on the wound. "You know this would be a lot easier with some light." Ariana mumbled out loud.
"Not when people are after you." Rin said coldly. Ariana stopped moving her hand for a second then continued to clean what she could see in the dark. "I see... I'm not an important enough person to have someone after me though. I'm just a simple girl who lived out by the forest where my parents farmed a modest crop, hunted and foraged. I'm not sure what I could give to others that would be so valuable." Ariana said solemnly before she went to grab the weed. Without hesitating she tossed the weed into her mouth and then chewed.
Ariana made a bitter face but continued to chew. Rin watched her silently and carefully. Once Ariana was done chewing she spit the contents into her hand and started to apply it to the wound. "So you want me to believe your are actually a nobody? That what happens to you is what? A-a-as natural as someone walking?! I call your bullsh*t." Rin said bitterly.
Ariana scratched her cheek. "Well in a sense no I am not normal... and that is thanks to you." Ariana said shyly and proceeded to wrap the dry white cloth around Rin's arm. "How am I responsible for what is happening to you! I am innocent in all this!" Rin said in a high pitched voice.
Ariana tied off the cloth and looked proud. She brought her hands up and started to gently rub her arm. "Pain, pain go away!" Rin took her arm away and grabbed Ariana's shoulders and gave her a little shake. "Stop it! You are confusing enough! My heart can't take any more cuteness! Who are you?! What are you?! Why are people after you?!" Rin yelled desperately as her face green eyes shinned with confusion and desperation.
Ariana blinked and her lips started to tremble. "I don't know what I am, human maybe, I guess but I'm naturally cute so I can't really help you there." Ariana said pitifully. Rin face palmed herself, she let go of Ariana and leaned her head back onto the wall behind her. "Fine, let me ask you this, have you died before?" Rin asked quietly as she crossed her legs while she sat on to the crate, making herself more comfortable.
"Maybe..." Ariana said indifferently and walked over to the kitchen window. "Maybe?" Rin replied as she grabbed the outer edges of the crate and pulled herself forward, eyes glued to the small figure in front of her. "I dream of someone begging me not leave. That's all I know, but I know that I am different. After you hit me that day I seem to have unlocked something special." Ariana said as she ket her eyes glued outside hoping to see if the coast was clear.
"As far as I can tell I have a very old soul inside my body. I'm still me and I know I'm 12 but I feel like I have lived longer. I am smarter then before and anything I actually knew about or skill I had in the past can be obtained once I touch something related to it." Ariana answered as she gripped the edges of the sink.
"Rin... I'm starting to become more conscious when my memories flow back into me... I saw how scared you were of me... I'm sorry." Ariana said pitifully. Rin got off the crate and started to walk to Ariana. "So you dreamt that you died, at least you think you died and now anything you touch becomes your skill as long as that skill is dormant inside you." Rin summarized under her breath. Ariana started nodding her head with vigour. "I think that's right." Ariana said in a weak voice.
"Then tell me this, have you ever lived anywhere outside of your home?" Rin asked as she grabbed Ariana's hand.
Ariana eased up her grip. "No, why?" Ariana replied as she turned over her hand and grabbed Rin's hand in return. Her heart was still feeling the melancholy from before and she couldn't help but squeeze Rin's hand.
Rin sighed and scratched the back of her head. "I wasn't scared and I know your telling me the truth. I touched one of your lights and suddenly I know how to bake. I have never known how to bake nor do I feel like I have an old soul inside of me. I just didn't want to experience the rush of knowledge again... it was excruciatingly painful." Rin said as she looked out the window.
The girls were silent for what seemed like a lifetime before Rin finally asked Ariana a question. "That song you were singing back there who taught it to you?" Rin asked as she kept looking outside. Ariana was not expecting the question and it caught her off guard. "I don't know, I sing it when I feel lonely... why?" Ariana asked while she tried to peek at Rin's face.
"It's nothing." Rin replied. "It looks like the coast is clear, let's get out of here." Rin said as she pulled Ariana out of the semi abandoned house and onto the street. "Ariana, I'm not sure who is after you but one thing is for certain you are not normal. We need to get you to touch as many things as soon as possible to avoid future risk of you being exposed." Rin ranted seriously as they started to walk back.
Ariana looked straight ahead, her eyes were focused and her guard was up. "So your saying someone knows about me and what I can do." Ariana asked as she narrowed her eyes.
Rin stopped walking and looked Ariana in the face. "Yes and that would mean your pare-um-guardians from before may have been holding you prisoner, waiting for whoever needed to pick you up to come at any given moment. When that woman sold you to Lady Zula I think it went against their plans and are now trying to hunt you down." Rin said with a scowl.
Ariana sighed a breath of relief. "Thank goodness that means my parents were not my blood relatives... so my father wanting to steal my virginity by r*ping me was just a dirty old man's dream."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone