 |
0.00
(0 votes)
You must login to vote
|
|
|
Shayla woke in the morning to see Rynst sitting next to her bed, wide-awake. She knew he had not slept during the day. She looked up at him, her silent protector, always watching her and always there for her. She smiled at him and he simply looked at her, with a distantly approving look. Shayla sat up and Nyrya burst into the room as Shayla fixed her t-shirt. Nyrya sat in Shayla’s lap and smiled up at her as Toby meowed. Rynst sneezed and Shayla laughed.
“Nyrya, you need to take care of your duties today. Today is the beginning of Shayla’s lessons.” Rynst said and Nyrya nodded silently. Nyrya hugged Shayla and left the room, obediently for once. Shayla looked at Rynst, confused and stood up, pulling her shirt down to her knees as she stretched. Rynst stood and turned away and she saw color come into his cheeks. It was the only thing she ever did that got a reaction from him past quiet distance. She smiled and pulled on the satin robe he made her wear.
“What lessons are you talking about?” She asked, tying the robe shut and he turned to her once more. Rynst proceeded to smooth his kimono.
“Did Rylath tell you what you may mean to us?” He asked and she shook her head, looking at him, confused. Rynst sighed at her, but tried to keep his irritation to himself. Rylath always made Rynst’s job as hard as physically possible. He looked down, into her gently confused, electric purple eyes. She was too small, fragile, and gentle for the tasks ahead of her. “It is all for the best. We will get to that all in time. For now, we will work on your meditation techniques, or lack there of.” Rynst said quietly.
“How did you-” she began, then closed her eyes. She had been having one of the lapses she sometimes had. She sighed before opening her eyes and looking up at Rynst. Sometimes, she forgot what he was. It was not hard to do. He looked human, even though his skin was tinged blue and his hair was pale from lack of sunlight. He was distant and infuriatingly calm, but he did not behave how she had thought vampires would; cruel, emotionless or wicked. He was aloof, and quiet, but he was also chivalrous, generous, and thoughtful. “What’s wrong with my technique? I like it just fine.”
“You use music.” He said and she waited for his explanation.
He looked at as if he did not understand her confusion. “Meditation is strictly about self-reflection, about contemplation. It should be done in silence or the sounds of nature. You’re supposed to be listening to yourself, not someone else.” Rynst said and Shayla was silent. He watched her stick her tongue in her cheek and looked at the roof. Rynst kept his distance, staying out of her mind patiently. She deserved at least that much privacy¸ a quick moment to make up her mind and understand what he meant.
“I guess you’re right, but I like what I do. It keeps me from getting to deep into myself when I know I will need to come out of it soon.” Rynst raised a condescending eyebrow and she looked at the floor. He took a deep breath and let loose another sigh. Now, she felt bad and it was his fault.
“The point of meditation is to search into yourself to sort out your problems and find peace.” He said and she bit her lip, then straightened her spine and looked up at him, eyes determined. He wondered what she had been hiding from in herself that it took such determination for her to accept delving into herself. She went to the wardrobe to get her clothes. She opened the wardrobe and hesitated.
“Rynst, these aren’t mine.”
“All of your clothes were dirty. I sent one of the girls into the city to get you some more. I hope you don’t mind.” By now, she was going through the wardrobe, curiously. He cleared his throat at her excitement. As he looked at her, she seemed to glow with excitement. “If you dislike them, I will-” Rynst began just before she turned to him with a smile that seemed to light her face, turning her eyes violet. He did not understand why his body felt warm.
He had approached her, to avoid raising his voice and Rynst realized he needed to step away and gather his thoughts. Before he had the chance to do so, she threw her arms around his neck in a warm hug. He suddenly became acutely aware of her warmth as she pressed her body against his. He stood very still, confused. He had not been shown affection in his life; as far back as he could remember. Even when Rylath had saved him from death, it had been to his own ends. Rynst did not know what to do. For once, he did not feel alone.
Shayla was surprised when Rynst’s cold arms closed around her waist, pulling her against him. Her smiled widened and softened as he held her. Rynst was not stone; he was real. Rynst could feel; she made him feel. She was proud, of herself for making him feel and of Rynst for letting down his barriers, if for just a short time. She kissed his cheek and looked up at him, then felt a twinge of pain. His deep blue eyes looked hurt. She only saw it for a moment, but it engraved itself in her mind. The sheer depth of his pain made her a deeply sad for him.
How much pain had he suffered? She wanted to ask, but she knew it was wrong. Still, she wondered if that was why he always pulled away and withdrew into himself, turned himself into a stone pillar. Instead of upsetting him any more than he already was, so she decided to change the mood, give him the chance to gather himself back to where he was comfortable.
She smiled at him again, genuinely happy, something she had never expected to feel in this place. “Thank you, Rynst.” She said gently before pulling away and turning to the closet. His arms slid away from her slowly, almost regretfully. She regretted loosing that closeness. It made her feel good to have that with him.
After her shower, she returned to the room in a sleeveless cropped black shirt over a long sleeved cropped shirt and a pair of close-fitting jeans. Her hair was up in a clip that left the front strands of her hair to fall in her eyes. She smiled, turning and waited. When he did not comment, she put her hands on her hips. “Well?” Rynst looked at her, face once again a stoic mask. “How do I look?” she asked as he sat on the floor.
“Do you like it?” He asked and she nodded. “Then why does my opinion matter?” She rolled her eyes because he was always, damnably right. His opinion should not matter, but it she still wished he would give one. He motioned for her to sit across from him and she obeyed, silently. He forced her to sit on her feet and she complained about the discomfort only one. He dismissed the complaint with a wave of his hand and she pouted, closing her mouth. She would not give him the chance to dismiss her like that again. He forced her to sit up straight, pulling on her shoulders before sitting before her. “Tell me what happens when you meditate.”
“I follow a path in the woods and it always leads me down a stream to a lake. I sit next to the lake with Boots and watch the clouds, thinking.”
“Boots?”
“Yes, Boots was a kitten I used to have before she was run over by a car when I was seven. Anyway, we just sit there in the silence, thinking. Once, a door appeared and another time, it was a cabin.” She said, trying and failing to suppress her shiver at the thought.
“Did you enter the cabin?”
“Yes.” Her voice was quiet as she tried to avoid the memory.
“What was inside?”
“There was cruelty and darkness. Images past by my eyes, I don’t know what they all were, but after they ended, there was nothing but fear and pain.” Shayla said accurately, speaking softly. The memory still frightened her slightly. She opened her eyes and looked at Rynst. His stoic mask was still in place as he poured her favorite tea. He handed her the tea and she accepted it silently.
“Can you recall exactly what it was you saw?”
“No. I was scared and confused.” Shayla said and she managed to make her voice steady and firm. Rynst nodded, knowing she would not budge on this topic. He could change her mind for her, but that seemed wrong, inconsiderate. “You can look into my memory if you like. I don’t mind.” She said and he raised a brow. The idea was practical and efficient, but he was worried about how it would affect her. She placed down the empty cup forcefully, and closed her eyes. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
Rynst realized just how much this was taking her to face this again and that she was not one to back down from her fear. He nodded and moved the table over and moved closer to her, taking his hands in his. He did not need the connection, but she would be scared and he was hoping the connection would keep her calm. It would be easier that way.
He closed his eyes and searched through her memories patiently. He found the meditation she spoke of and went into it. Her body tensed and she started to pull away, and then stopped herself. He nodded and she walked down the path with quiet patience and a fortitude he had not known she possessed.
She sat by the lake for a time, kitten on her shoulder, until Rynst felt a disturbance in her serene little world. He watched her back straighten as she felt it as well. Shayla stood with slow, precise movements and walked toward the cabin. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob and he stood behind her, silent observer. She collected herself for a moment, and then starred at the door, eyes hard before she threw the door open.
Images began to assault her again as she did. Though Shayla’s mind could not keep up and process what she was seeing, Rynst’s quicker eyes caught each image. Shayla backed into Rynst as she hyperventilated. Tears of anger pain, fear, and sorrow fell down her soft cheeks, but she did not scream, nor turn away. She began to sob and squeezed Rynst’s hands. He squeezed back, hoping the action would be of some comfort to her. Still, the tears would not stop.
Something began to build in Shayla and it was terrifying. She wanted to scream, to cry, and to release what was building inside her. Rage was familiar and safe, so she clung to it she needed it to keep in control. That became her channel for what was growing inside her. “Enough.” Rynst said finally and she pulled away, standing quickly and violently.
She began to pace back and forth, fury building in her to the point of distraction. She could hardly fend off the crimson light that was tinting everything in her vision. She had never felt rage like this before. It was deeper, stronger, and more powerful than any emotion she had ever felt before. She didn’t know what in the would happen if she allowed it to get out. “Follow me.” Rynst called and she turned to him, biting back a sharp retort. Even with a blood red haze coming over her, she had to remember that Rynst took care of her. He was only trying to help and she could not punish him for that.
She followed him to a gym in silence. At least sixteen pale men and women turned to her as she entered with Rynst. Shayla simply glared at them all before heading to a punching bag. She threw down her gloves and taped up her fists and feet. Someone began to object that she was using their tape and she looked up, glaring daggers and daring him to speak again. He turned away and she went to her punching bag as Rynst held it. She began to assault it, using her anger the way she had always been taught, in a healthy manner. All her attentions were on the bag as she assaulted it brutally.
Rynst watched her as her speed increased with each passing moment as the emotions in her built and built instead of crumbling. He stopped her and she glared at him. “Can you spar?” He asked and she nodded. He led her to the training weapons rack. She picked up two long, wooden tonfas against his katana. He questioned her choice and she simply glowered at him until he stepped onto the mat. “You’re sure those are what you want?”
“It’s all I need, now attack me.” She said quietly and he obeyed. Rynst attacked with an overhead strike and she blocked it, hitting him in his stomach. He pulled away, went for a faster, stealthier attack from her ankles up, and was surprised when she blocked him.
She tried to bring her tonfa down on his neck and he saw her eyes in that moment. They glowed a dark, wicked purple and her pupils glowed blood red. Her rage had made her murderous and knowing she could not kill him would allow her to take out her rage on him. He knew she needed it, so he was there for her.
He retreated and attacked again, with a strike from behind her and she blocked it again and kicked him in the shoulder. He overbalanced as she turned to him. He lashed out and she ducked, barreling at him and slamming her shoulder into his stomach. She locked her arms around his waist and slammed him into the mat. Rynst exhaled, pained and looked at Shayla.
She raised herself to her knees, fist in the air and paused. The crimson color had spread from her iris to her pupil. Only a ring of violet on the inside of her irises betrayed her true eye color. She stood and looked away from him biting her lip and letting he eyes drop in irritation. “I need another sparring partner, someone I can beat into sickness.” She said, quietly controlling her anger. He looked at her confused. No one in his long existence had ever hesitated to use him to his own ends, in any manner. He had taken more wrathful abuse than he cared to remember.
“I will be-”
“No, I can’t hit you. I need you to beat something or I’ll break you down.” Shayla said and Rynst did not know what to do. She was looking at the mat, her fists clenching and unclenching as she held onto her anger. It was only moments before she went her spine went rigid and she turned her head to the doorway just before Ichigo entered the gym.
His dull, lifeless brown eyes turned to her and she made her way to him. Ichigo’s thin lips parted in a smile as Rynst followed her. He made sure everyone around Ichigo and Shayla left the area quickly. Ichigo outstretched his arms and began to speak, but did not get the chance.
“Go to hell you disgusting asshole!” She said as she punched him in the stomach. The vampire doubled over and she jumped, bringing her knee to his face. His head flew up and she brought her elbow down on the back of his head. He fell on his face as she rebalanced herself. Shayla kicked Ichigo and he flew onto his back on the weight lifting bench.
She lifted the hundred pound weights and slammed the on Ichigo’s chest. A dark smirk lit her face as his ribs cracked. Leaving the weights on his chest, she began to beat him without thought or care. Rynst watched her destroy one of their best warriors in her rage, all the while screaming. “You low life! How dare you show your face around me? How dare you come into the same room you little shit?” She pounded Ichigo until her knuckles bled and he was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. Rynst pulled her off him. “Let me go!”
Ichigo writhed on the bench as another vampire pulled the weights off him. “It’s time you showered and we returned to your room.” Rynst said and she turned to him, eyes glowering daggers, even as she unclenched her fists. “I’ll get your robe.” He said in a final tone and she stormed out of the gym, into the woman’s locker room. She stripped away her clothes and stormed into the shower without a towel. Several other women followed after as she stood under the shower, head bowed.
They turned on the shower and she closed her eyes. Shayla was in no mood for company when one of the women touched her arm. She opened her violet eyes and looked at the red headed woman. “You’re Shayla, the Chosen One, right?” the woman asked and Shayla stood up, slowly. She had to control herself.
“That’s what you people keep telling me. Who are you, anyway?”
“I am Isoko, my queen. Thank you for coming to us, Shayla.” Isoko said quietly and Shayla’s eyes soften.
“What Sumiko means is thank you for knocking the shit out of Ichigo. He’s a lecher.” Another woman said and Shayla turned around. A woman with long, raven black hair and blue highlights extends her hand. “My name’s Ishi. Do you mind if I just call you Shayla, instead of the Chosen One?”
“No, I don’t mind at all. I’d prefer it actually.” Shayla said gently and Ishi smiled at her. Shayla felt her anger starting to drain away and it scared her. She needed her rage. It was keeping her going.
“I’m the unfortunate half sister of that air head to your left.” Ishi said and Sumiko pouted, trying to object. “Listen, Ichigo is an ass and a leech. He thinks because he is Rynst’s second in command, he can just use whomever he wants and get away with it. The shitty part is that he does.” Ishi bit her lip and leaned against the wall. “Did he ever....”
Shayla closed her eyes and Ishi apologized, professing that it was not her business, but Shayla shook her head, using the emotion. “It’s alright. He tried something, but Rynst stopped him.” Shayla said quietly and both Sumiko an Ishi sighed. “What’s wrong with you two?”
Before they answered, both girls flung themselves against the walls of the shower, both sighing again. “Rynst is so handsome and quiet.” Isoko said, as if in a daydream. “I wish I knew what was going on in his head”
“He’s got that whole dark, brooding thing working for him. I think that samurai thing is hot too. He’s so amazingly, quietly captivating.” Ishi said and Shayla laughed. She gave a quiet giggle and leaned on the wall, smirking at them.
“Rynst is an interesting person I guess.” Shayla said quietly and the other girls stopped sighed and paid attention. “He’s not perfect though. His silence can be overbearing.” ‘Or comforting’ she added to herself. “He’s not brooding, he’s thinking and that whole samurai thing is just odd. I mean it’s the twenty-first century, not the twelfth.” Shayla said quietly and both Ishi and Isoko looked at her in shock. Both girls smiled at Shayla as a knock came at the shower room door. “Excuse me, my guardian summons me. May I borrow one of your towels? I forgot mine and he is very sensitive about this kind of thing.” Shayla asked, turning off her shower. Ishi tossed a towel at Shayla and Shayla smiled her thanks, wrapping herself in it.
She came out in a black towel that clung to her wet skin as she wrung out her hair. Even as he blocked his vision with the robe, his quick eyes drank her in. Water dripped from her delicate hands and down her long, graceful neck. Her shoulders sloped gently and the towel clung to her hourglass figure. Long, toned legs peeked out from beneath the towel as she stepped lightly into the dressing room. She took the robe and smiled shyly. “I’m going to dry off and I will be out soon, alright?” She asked and he nodded, bowing his head and exiting the locker room.
Shayla watched Rynst ignore the beautiful women who vied for his attentions in their skimpy, sensual lingerie and collapsed onto the bench. Anger, jealousy and disappointment welled in her. She envied the beauty of the vampires, and how secure they were in it. She was angry at how they took after Rynst like vultures after a carcass. She was also disappointed because he did not as much as glance at anyone of them. She had no chance, if none of those women could get his attentions. Her head snapped up at this final thought and she blinked several times.
She would have no chance at what? Surely, she was not contemplating having a chance with Rynst. He was terribly irritating and silent and always right… Shayla thought and sat up straight. Ishi and Isoko came out of the shower and looked at her. Shayla was holding her head in her hands as she thought about how foolish her train of thought had been. “Did you realize it yet?” Ishi basked and Shayla looked up quickly.
“Have I realized what?” Shayla asked, confused and suddenly very angry with the two girls. This train of thought that suddenly gnawed at her would not have even occurred to her if they had not brought it up.
Isoko smiled and shook her head. “You really don’t see it, do you?” Shayla looked between the two women and threw up their hands in confusion, drying herself off and putting on her robe.
“You’re speaking in circles. What am I supposed to realize? What do you see that I don’t?” Shayla asked, Isoko only smiled, and Ishi hugged Shayla, and then smiled at her. Ishi whispered into Shayla’s ear and Shayla looked at Isoko as if she had gone mad and laughed. Isoko laughed as well and the women got dressed. The three of them left the locker room together and Rynst came to Shayla’s side.
“Is something the matter?” Rynst asked after a few moments of following Shayla s she marched down the hallways in silence towards her room. Shayla shook her head and Rynst sighed. He took her gently by her shoulders and turned her to face him. “What is the matter, Shayla? I am here to help you and keep you happy. I cannot do that if you will not tell me what is wrong.” Rynst said and she looked at him with seemingly blind eyes. Shayla had a look about her he had not seen before and it seemed out of place on her face.
“It’s nothing… I am just confused. Give me some time and I will work it out.” Shayla said quietly and Rynst still stared at her. “Don’t worry about it okay?” Shayla asked and he nodded, dissatisfied. He was very well aware he could find out what he wanted to know by simply searching her mind. For some reason, he was loathe to do so. He reminded himself that she need some small amount of privacy.
She returned to her room and sat on her bed, quietly. Deciding that she did not want to think about what the girls had said, Shayla did her best to distract herself. She picked up a book and leaned against the wall, but could not bring herself to read, although she tried for well over ten minutes. She placed down the book and pulled on her headphones, but to no avail. Even destroying her eardrums could not drown out her thoughts. She laid back on the bes and sighed, deciding to try and sleep off her anxiety. She closed her eyes, clearing her mind as best she could and tried to sleep. After nearly ten minutes of trying to fall asleep, she head something soft and comforting. She realized Rynst was trying to lull her to sleep by humming and smiled gently. Hi song gave her something to focus on and helped her finally fall into the warm embrace of sleep.
|
Related Items
|
|
|
|
Call of the Night ~~~ 3
