Within The Light

The Father and the Wolf

Sand settled, revealing a very protective gaurdian. One that wasn't at all to happy about the scene he just intruded on. His back was facing me as he stood between Nozomi and I. I could see bits of sand still kick up everso slightly above our feet, keeping a defensive gaurd. Oh, how quickly it had all gone to hell before I even knew it. Gaara's timing had been both impressive and irritating. It left me guilty to admit I had wished he was just a few minutes late. I had been so close to unlocking the answers I had become dangerously desperate for. Could you blame me? Because I could.

"Gaara," I couldn't help but utter quietly. His eyes were glued on Nozomi. I forced myself off the ground and made an effort to walk to his side, but he stopped me. He lifted a hand behind him, placing it on my shoulder and pushing me back. I had to peek from behind him to see Nozomi smirking. He was amuzed, or amazed.

"What business do you have here?" Gaara demanded. The coldness in his voice thickened the tension in the air. I hadn't been used to hearing his voice become so cold, it sent shivers down my spine. I don't believe that voice could ever be used against me because I'd break at the sound of it. I could only imagine what Nozomi felt as he kept his brave mask on.

"Ruri here was just about to seal a deal with me," Nozomi explained rather tauntingly. "Sorry I didn't send you the permission slip, but my time here is limited."

Gaara glanced at me quickly before staring back to Nozomi. The look was one that said 'are you stupid?' Well, maybe it didn't say that, but it sure felt like it at the moment -perhaps because that was what I was telling myself. Gaara's look had been more questioning, confused, worried. The guilt was growing now. I was afraid it would outweigh my longing to know.

"What deal?" Gaara almost spat at him. Such an icy tone, but he resembled a dragon breathing fire.

"She'd sign the agreement in the scroll in exchange for some information," Nozomi said. "Why don't you tell him the rest, Ruri?"

'Tread lightly,' Ren warned me. 'If you truly care for this guy, then don't involve him.'

'The hell am I supposed to do?'

'I don't know and frankly I don't care about him,' he said bluntly. 'But you do. And just like our own parents, we lead everyone to their death.'

It was true. I didn't want to admit it, but it was the plain truth. Eventhough I knew he wasn't telling me everything, atleast that bit was clear even to me. My clan has brought war and destruction everywhere they went. Our parents died protecting us, our family died protecting us. Even Nozomi had thrown his life away for the Fuyu. I couldn't let Gaara or anyone else lead the same faith.

"Ruri?" Gaara called out to me in concern.

"Shh, don't be rude," Nozomi scolded mockingly. Gaara's rose a brow as the other man rolled his eyes. "That dazed look on her face, she's having a
conversation with her brother."

At this, I glowered towards the snowy-haired rogue. He smirked triumphantly, knowing he plucked a nerve. "What? Don't tell me you haven't told Lord Gaara, here. I thought you could trust him."

"More than I could ever trust you," I scoffed.

"Is that why you were so ready to accept the scroll?" Nozomi countered. "Looks like we're both scum, must run in the family."

"Enough," Gaara intervened, not keen on hearing Nozomi blatantly insult me.

"Heard enough?" Nozomi asked. "Because we haven't even scratched the surface."

'What the hell is he trying to do?' Ren questioned. Guess he didn't exactly know everything either. Still more than me, but obviously not enough.

"What's Ren telling you now, Ruri?' he asked me. "Long time no see, Ren." My fist clenched by my sides while I tried to retain my composure. He validated this whole idea of Ren being real and it had me on edge. It was more digestible knowing he had just been a fabric of my conscience. Now he has his own mind, personality, spirit. I didn't want him to be realized, but like most things I didn't want; I got.