Love's Not Void

Chapter 15:

Bardo made everybody breakfast. He was wary around the devils, and did everything within his power to keep away from them. Actually, he avoided talking to them as well.

"So, what brings you all to Ransen?"

"We're on business," Konoe replied. His voice was hoarse, due to it being so early in the morning.

"Fine, don't tell me," the one with a goatee sighed. He reached up to scratch behind his striped ears.

His eyes soon traveled to Kimberly.

She was wearing her usual clothes, and picked at the food before her. She was wondering what was safe to eat. After all, she didn't have the same kind of stomach that cats do. Would the berries make her sick?

"What about you then? Did you get tangled in this mess too?"

"Actually, I am the mess," she coolly answered.

He nodded, his tail making short arcs. A soft purr started to vibrate from him.

"So...what's with the hood? Is something wrong?"

She couldn't tell him that she was human. So what else could she say?

"...I get cold easily."

She hesitated. It was a bad lie. He'll see right through her.

"Oh. Why don't you have a tail, then?"

Son of a-

"You ask too many questions, Bardo," Rai sneered. "No wonder why nobody chooses to stay here for more than a night."

Oooh! You tell 'em, Rai!

"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," he immediately apologized.

When she said nothing, the room fell silent. But that's when she unexpectedly felt someone pull her hood back.

Reflexively, she turned around and punched the person. Bardo stumbled back a few, his hand reaching up to touch his bleeding lip. When his eyes met Kimberly, the ends of his mouth twitched into a grin.

"I knew it. You're not a Ribika, are you?"

Rai got up, drawing his longest sword and pointing it at Bardo. With his eye narrowed and a cat-like growl coming from his throat, the weaponless cat held his hands up in surrender. The striped cat stared down at the blade, a gentle smile suddenly coming to his lips. He stared at Rai, his eyes half open, casual and warm.

"Rai," Kimberly sternly hissed. Immediately, the single-eyed cat's ears twitched, and his tail began to gently sway.

Lowering his weapon, he turned with a tongue-clicking noise, like he usually does when annoyed. He turned towards Kitty with a softer expression.

"Gather your things. We're leaving."

"I can help," Bardo spoke, "I don't think you lot are on the run, otherwise I can imagine you would be gone by now."

"We don't need your help," Rai spat.

"Actually," Kimberly interjected, "We need all the help we can get."

Rai glanced at her with a cold gaze. She promptly returned it with a glare of her own.

"Great, what can I help with?"

Turning towards him, the human deadpanned.

"Are you willing to fight?"

Crossing his arms with a smug grin, the shirtless cat nodded.