for whitesunatmidknight

[brushstrokes]

Jabi and Rin had been in the middle of training when the summon from Kouga came.

Despite the teen's protests, Jabi had sent her inside before bothering to open the message. It was brief and to the point; Kouga had never been one to waste time on pleasantries anyway. After reading, Jabi crumpled the missive in her hand. There was little to be thought about on the matter: Kouga needed her, so she would go to him.

It was as simple as that.

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[whitesunatmidknight]

"I don't know that she does. She will, if you leave." It wasn't the first time he'd had to face the threat of backing down from his own pride when Rin was involved. He didn't like it, but was hoping to reach a compromise that didn't involve him stating he had been wrong to remove Jabi, "you're the only friend she has. We don't know more about the Makai Knights - this curse. If it exists, I don't want her to be alone when she doesn't have to be."

[brushstrokes]

And now here he was, telling her that he didn't want Rin to be alone when a few minutes ago he all but shoved her out of his sister's reach. Jabi sighed loudly, then raised a brow at him.

"You're a very confusing man, Tsubasa," she said, just because it was the truth. Jabi considered him, and added, "Although I do find it strange that all of a sudden you're concerned with how Rin views you." And even considered Jabi a threat to it. A beat, and then, "Is there something you're not telling her?"

[whitesunatmidknight]

"You're confusing me." He'd been so sure that removing Jabi from Rin's life was the right thing to do and within a few moments she had somehow managed to overturn his conviction. He felt that at this time it was more important for Rin to be happy than him to be right, "No, there's nothing. A Makai Knight or Priestess is always prepared to die. If I expect her to see that, I have to lead by example."

[brushstrokes]

There he went again. It was hard not to suspect anything, when he was reiterating death time and again - as though he was certain something was coming at him. Given that Kantai was peaceful now, with only the threat of the curse to Makai Knights raising the concerns of Priests and knights everywhere, it was easy to derive that something had happened to Tsubasa, only he was choosing not to say it.

Yet it was not her place to pry. It had never been, even if he was giving her back the choice of whether to stay or go after her summon from Kouga had been finished. It was strange; she should gloat that she managed to make him retract his decision - but all she felt now was relief, and some dread.

"You're right," she said. "But don't go rushing to your death anytime soon - you'll only regret it if you do."

[whitesunatmidknight]

"Why would I do such a thing? I'm not going anywhere." As of yet the seal on his chest didn't seem to be having any effect on him, although it was sometimes painful when training. He had been waiting for news of any developments or suggestion of a way to remove it. A Makai Priestess might know more but since Jabi hadn't volunteered anything, he saw no reason to take her into his confidence. He believed that the force of will could overcome many things and because of this he had already decided his life wasn't going to be ended so easily. Some Makai Knights had lived to great ages, and although he was prepared to die at any time, he didn't see why he shouldn't be around to see Rin grow up, "If she won't listen to my words, perhaps she'll learn from my example."

[brushstrokes]

She had meant the words to be taken in jest, but perhaps even trying it would be in vain. Perhaps that was one of Tsubasa's faults - he seemed incapable of seeing the lighter side to everything. Jabi was certainly grateful that his sister was nowhere near his level of seriousness, and could still laugh when it was appropriate.

She was about to tell him these things when Rin herself appeared, announcing that it was time for dinner. Jabi smiled at her and, shooting a look Tsubasa's way, told Rin that she should stay with her brother and walk with him, before moving out on her own. Perhaps the two of them should start talking now, so that the Knight would at least have the peace of mind he so desperately craved.