Howlless

Chapter 5

... The sun was already dawning, tainting the sky in that purple hue, as the people of the town were all preparing to leave.

Even the ubor, who still clung to her worthless belongings, fearfully found itself a stall to sleep for the night, using the coins she held tightly in her hands.

Rin and the Hound had just returned to their room, with the Hound sitting down over the window, continuing his vice – the thin smoke slowly collecting over the roof of their room.

However, having remained silent till now, Rin wanted answers, and with her back pressed against the door, she took a deep breath; Her tail tying around her own leg.

"So... What was that... Why?"
She started, not really sure herself what she wanted to know first:
Why was he pushing her away; Why does he want her to be more independent; What was the game he was trying to play – there were just too many questions buzzing all around her mind.

And though vague, the Hound already understood what she wanted to know.

"How old are you now, Rin?"
The Hound asked back, as he stared outside the window; The few kids still playing in the streets were all laughing, screaming, and chasing each other as they threw balls of dirty snow.

"... Seventeen... Why?"
Rin's breathing became shallow, as her tail tightened further, sinking the jagged edges of the bones into her own skin, already knowing where the Hound was going with that question.

"Have you ever thought of... finding your own life?"
The Hound's eyes finally met hers, smiling ever so encouragingly, but what welcomed his gaze were eyes so horrified – unblinking, and barred by a layer of moist.

"Why?"
A low whine escaped Rin's throat while she stood there immobile; Her head dropping over her own shoulder, as her demeanor remained unchanged.

She didn't even realize her eyes were already wet.

And while the Hound wouldn't care if in front of him were the mothers crying in despair for the death of their sons – that haunting stare Rin was giving him closed his airways. He couldn't take another breath.

"... No reason... Forget it..."
He surrendered, but his own tail was already out in the sight; Rin wanted answers.

"No... Why?"
Her eyes grew wider, while her pupil sharpened; Her neck revealed itself, extending – a threat to snap itself in two, as her tail jagged dug even deeper, scraping at her own skin and flesh.

"No reason... I just thought you might've wanted a... normal life."
The Hound's gaze fell towards the side, while Rin took a step forward, seeking for his eyes; Seeking for his truth – he already raised the edge over her neck with his words; There was no escape till he explained himself.

"Why?"
She continued; Her voice turning somber, threatening, mimicking that of the Hound – What was the reason for him to think that? Why would he ever think that? Did she do something to make him think that? Did she ever ask him to think that?

"Stop."
The Hound ordered her, but Rin wasn't fazed; He wasn't the one in control now; He had no rights to order her in that moment. She wasn't going to obey till he made himself clear.

She inched forward more and more, ever so slowly, choking him with her gaze. She wanted answers, but the Hound remained mute.

She sighed, closing her eyes for an instance. She knew he wouldn't say anything anyway, and so, with a little smirk appearing on her face, she took a step backward.

"... Is it because you're a Hound?"
She smiled at him so innocently, casually, calmly. While the Hound's eyes widened at that question, as he immediately felt countless more eyes dropping over him – the shadows around them sprouting peepers of void and ears of the damned.