Dark Light

Chapter 21: Moonlight

Year 1872

- I thought getting food was the priority, you know.

Haruna chuckled with that, leaning back against the stone wall. She and Rina were now near one of the armory sheds, in a spot where there weren't soldiers currently. Almost everyone was either posted and guarding at the top of the wall, inside the fortress, barracks, or attending the cremation further beyond.

- I'm sure Tomo can wait a bit longer.

- Right, you think they're actually having a conversation. - Rina also leaned back against the wall, by Haruna's side, and crossed her arms.

- I know they are. You should give them both a lot more credit.

- Maybe. I just remember damn well how Mami reacts to being cornered, and that worries me. I think we're all well aware of why.

- You're right, but Tomo isn't going to corner her. All they need to do is apologize to each other, that's it.

- I would've thought Tomo saving her life is much more than enough. This time she pretty much brought her back from the dead.

- I thought that last time, and look at what happened. No, we need to give them time to work through their mess. My choice is to trust that they can do it.

Rina sighed and looked up at the starry sky above them. She took her time before speaking again.

- It's pretty ironic how she's the only one of us who didn't lose her entire home to them, but she's the one they destroyed the most.

- Mami, you mean? - Haruna asked, and Rina nodded - You think she's destroyed?

- There's nothing to think, it's a fact. I mean, after everything we've seen...

- Right. She's still fighting them, though, just like we are. I don't think we need to worry about having her with us.

- You're pretty optimistic today, Haru.

- And you're the opposite, which is totally unusual for you. Care to tell me what's going through that head of yours?

Rina seemed to let herself go limp against the wall for a moment, closing her eyes.

- I've already apologized to Tomomi.

- Great, but that wasn't my question. Come on, am I your best friend or not?

- Wow to the emotional blackmail. - Rina said with a chuckle, opening her eyes again and facing the princess by her side, who was shaking her head with crossed arms. - You're family to me, you know that.

- Then please. I'm all ears.

Rina let out another long sigh.

- You know how frustrating this is, don't you? They've been crawling around the continent destroying everyone's lives, and I could've stopped it. Now we know they don't have an alternative with them, if they're hunting Mami down like an animal to take his place. If I'd killed that guy last night, everything would have changed.

- I understand how you feel, but blaming yourself for it isn't going to change what happened. Learn from the expert, you know me.

Rina chuckled, ruffling Haruna's short hair and making her slap her hands.

- I know, I was just so angry. I couldn't stop thinking about how they took my home away from me, and now they prevent me from knowing more about it. If it weren't for them, I'd still be in the north with Reizei, digging up stuff about my old family. I'd have a chance at knowing who I am.