for whitesunatmidknight

[brushstrokes]

After she had finished healing Zaruba for him, Kouga had asked her to stay at his mansion so she could rest. He'd told her she could stay for as long as she wanted.

Jabi was on her way back to Kantai the very next day.

She knew Kouga would understand her decision. Not that she had anything against the Golden Knight, or his new Makai Priest, or even Kaoru. But Jabi would be lying to herself if she didn't admit to feeling... something... in the pit of her stomach when seeing Kouga and Kaoru together. Jabi could feel the warmth emanating from Kaoru, could see that Kouga himself was basking in it.

She envied it. She envied them.

The closest she had ever felt that way was when she was teaching Rin - the one she had wanted and sworn to protect - and upon thinking of the child Jabi realized that, surprisingly, she did miss her student.

She had thought of leaving Kantai for good, even if Tsubasa had recanted his request to never see her again in his land. But after visiting Kouga, after encountering the man in the red mask, she'd changed her mind.

She'd be foolish if she were to choose to be alone now.

Comments

[whitesunatmidknight]

She was right about that at least. Tsubasa had already reached the stage where after using his armor he could not walk. He considered the possibility that if the Senate thought he had been honest, they might agree to a request not to appoint either of his apprentices to replace him. Under the circumstances it was better that he do what seemed best for the Makai Knights and not his own pride, "what do you suggest I should do?"

[brushstrokes]

Well this was a first. She never thought the day when Tsubasa would ask her what he should do would come to them. Jabi drew a deep breath. "Like I said before - limit your use of your armor, if necessary. Perhaps when I'm not training Rin, either of us can accompany you and your apprentices when you're making your rounds. This, perhaps, would also be a good test for Rin, so we can both see if she is ready." She paused. "Send word to Kouga, but swore him to silence if you want. Either ask him for assistance or information - either could be of great help to you at this point."

[whitesunatmidknight]

The idea of a test for Rin made Tsubasa feel somewhat better. He was certain that once the curse overcame him she would be appointed a full time Makai Priestess, and that was likely to be sooner rather than later. The lack of knowledge about the man in the red mask and his curse was the Makai Knights' biggest obstacle with regard to defeating him. It seemed that, just as in Kantai, there was a lot of uncertainty in Kouga's territory - and anyone who knew anything wouldn't say so. If Tsubasa could be the first to speak out, the Knights might be in a better position to face the threat, "very well. I'll send word to him."

[brushstrokes]

"...I'm glad," she said, after a few moments. Makai Knights' lives were fraught with danger, but perhaps this was especially malicious in nature. As a Makai Priestess it was her duty to aid however she could, but how could she, when this thread was yet unknown? Never had she felt as useless as she did now - except perhaps when Priest Amon had been killed.

"Let's go," Jabi said. "I want to see Rin - and you have to talk to her."

[whitesunatmidknight]

"Fine." Tsubasa began the journey towards the house. He didn't have the energy to debate it any further, although he'd planned to speak to Rin later when she had already had time to welcome Jabi back. It felt to him as if every bit of control he once had was being taken from him by the mysterious man. If he stopped to let it affect him, he may not be able to do his job just when others needed him.