Chapter 11: Starting Truth
The next morning when Ginsu went to wake Alura she wasn’t there. This confused him and he scratched his head before starting to look around searching for her. When he would find her it would be out in the enclosed garden with a real sword, hacking at one of the thick trees with rage and tears in her eyes. Quickly it took Ginsu no time to enter and grab one of her wrists, stopping the movement of the blade without an ounce of trouble. She looked up to him, glaring hatefully at him and tried to pull her wrist free to swing the blade again.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClz00oR7m7
“Let go! Let go now Ginsu!” Alura screamed, tears falling down her face and her breathing broken with her starting to cry again, though she tried to hold it in. He watched calmly though concerned by her sudden actions. Slowly he released her wrist while simultaneously kneeling down and wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. This only made her rage grow and to struggle hard for freedom, closing her eyes tightly. “Let go! Let go now! I’ll kill you!” she screamed with baseless threats, swinging the blade wildly to try and force him to release her. It didn’t take long before her actions quickly ceased once the sound of flesh to sword echoed throughout the quiet gardens. Her eyes shot open and her hands trembled violently as a dripping sound echoed through the air, the sight of a deep red pool blood beginning to form on the ground.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgle6bJMDzL
Through that strike and pain with the steel remaining in his side, he never once released her or tightened his grip, he simply held her close to comfort her with his eyes closed. “It’s alright. Calm down.” He said softly to her, finally speaking with slow easy breaths. This caused her to jump, gasping and start to cry again. This time it was from her harming him in her anger. She tried to bury her face into his chest only to feel him slowly release her. His hands were steady but his movements were controlled and slow.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGhIGCPz4E
Carefully he reached over and lowered a hand to place it on the hilt, twisting his fingers around the fabric covered metal for a secure grip. The Water God paused as he took a breath then grunted and winced as he pulled it out. The movement was swift and fluid to try to ensure a clean exit. This quick move however didn’t stop his face from twisting from the sharp pain. Upon its removal blood flew out through the air from both the wound and the cold steel, allowing droplets to land scattered on the stones. Alura’s face paled as he lowered the bloody weapon out from his side, the stained metal lightly scraping the petrified surfaces before coming to rest between two medium stones. In the silent and thick air the drips sang softly like raindrops falling to the ground from the blade, and from the end of his the side of his soaked shirt.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrdrcIRo2D
“Sorry.” She whispered as her voice cracked some with her tears. Her hands were closed and up in front of her mouth, feeling horrible for what she’d done as she had never harmed anyone in her life. Ginsu sighed, wanting to assure her he was fine but had to focus, making a mental note to ease her fear. He turned his eyes from the stones to his side soaked in the dark crimson fluid. It had gone deep and he knew this wasn’t going to be painless. Inhaling deeply through the nose then exhaling as his eyes closed, in a way focusing his mind so to do the mending correctly.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePhyvpSMp5
Ginsu placed a hand over the wound and hissed through gritted teeth, wincing when his palm touched the open injury. A soft light began to glow coming solely from his palm, first white then blue. He cringed as his eyes closed briefly before one reopened to watch the wound. Biting his lower lip firmly in pain to hold back a scream, he ignored the small amount of blood that was drawn from his lower lip, as slowly the wound mended its self. Alura couldn’t look away. Feeling disgusted by the sight of the blood she wanted to look away, yet her body couldn’t force her eyes away. What she couldn’t see was the tissues inside the wound stretching, stringing itself back together along with any veins or blood vessels and nerves, which had been severed or damaged. He knew it though. He could feel every move and reconnection, and it hurt like hell but he refused to scream, already not happy he couldn’t keep his face from twisting more at times when a sharp jolt of pain would strike.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5aUVjIIOT
It took about four to six minutes before the wound had finished closing. Blood was left both dry and moist on his person. Most noticeable was the weight pulling down the soaked fabric on the side of his shirt. The droplets on the ground had dried, giving a new tint to the normally pale stones, as well as adding a red stain on the silver blade. Alura still stood motionless, her body feeling frozen in place with her stunned and fearful expression, upset for what she’d done while apologizing softly every so often with a voice that was barely a whisper. Once the wound fully closed and he felt there was no scar he removed his hand as the blue light faded.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NLWdoibN4
Carefully he removed his torn and dirty shirt, putting down the sword as he slipped the article of clothing off. He wanted her to see there was no wound and it was better. Slipping his clean hand into his pants pocket he withdrew a cloth, dampening it with water he wiped his blood off his other appendage. He didn’t want to scare her further with blood on his skin. Once done he dropped the red fabric on his shirt and softly touched the side of her face with his clean hand, smiling softly as he gazed into her sad eyes with his own kind ones. “It’s alright. See? All better.” Ginsu spoke in a hushed, gentle tone as if speaking to a frightened kitten. He softly touched her shoulder with his other hand, easing her to turn so now her back was towards the mess as he had moved to stay in front of her. With a soft touch he used his thumb of his hand resting on her cheek to brush away fresh falling tears. “It’s okay now, see? No more blood, no more injury.” He gently assured her and even turned to show her his once sliced open side.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB72ZrJ8UdV
Alura stared now in shock to see it was completely gone. Slowly and shaking she lowered her hands, reaching one out to timidly touch where once there had been opened flesh. It was healed and he wasn’t flinching under her fingertips. Sniffling she wiped her eyes and he softly removed his hand from her cheek so she could better wipe away the remaining tears. After she had calmed down enough Ginsu spoke quietly, keeping his voice caring and at ease, not wanting to entice fear. “Now…tell me why you were crying and so upset to use violence against a work of nature?” His voice shocked her. It had no anger, no hate, no tone of punishment but kind, soft, and gentle a forgiving tone like nothing had even happened.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGJbTPG6HA
Even though she knew Ginsu was level headed and easy going, it still was shocking if not jarring to not hear a tone of discipline from him. After all, she had taken a real blade without permission from the armory she found, and had been wildly attacking a tree to vent her emotions after Hiatsu had been finished with her. “….Hiatsu…he scolded me, telling me to give up after I started to question him about my father. He even slapped me…saying if I ever eavesdropped again he would lock me up and think of me as a spy. I know I shouldn’t have listened in when he was talking to Marizu, but I did. I heard my parents spoken about and I hid when Marizu left. Then I went back to see where Hiatsu was and he…he came out and dragged me into his room, and started yelling and snapping at me.” Alura spoke as clearly as she could, sniffing as fresh tears started to fall and choke her words in places.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qss1ljANk
Ginsu’s face fell and a sigh came from his lips as they parted. Softly his hand returned, his thumb brushing away her new tears. “Shhh, don’t cry. It’ll be fine. Trust me. I’ll talk to Hiatsu about it…” he paused then rephrased his last words. “We’ll go speak to Hiatsu about it and you’ll see he’s really not a bad guy like he pretends to be. He, for some reason, enjoys acting tough and bad, but really he’s quite gentle.” Ginsu gave a kind smile, chuckling behind his closed lips.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhetC2oJoHp
Alura watched, sniffing some with a hiccup then nodded, a small smile pulling to her face as she felt warm and better inside. She felt safe around him then, after hesitating, she hugged him tightly around the neck in thanks. He returned the action, firm but softly while rubbing her back and then softly pushed her back, continuing to be gentle. “Shall we go now?” Alura nodded with determination in her eyes now and he nodded in return, standing as he took her hand into his to lead her to Hiatsu’s room. She stayed close to him glaring ahead and was sure that Hiatsu would apologize with Ginsu with her.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVf2igs6Px
They arrived quicker than she thought they would and he knocked, waiting until he heard a grunt for ‘come in’ and Ginsu entered first with Alura following behind him. He closed the door softly hearing it latch Ginsu turned his attention to the Fire God sitting behind his desk, working on some papers. “Hiatsu, can you tell me exactly why you slapped Miss Alura?”1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILJB5D5yCg
Hiatsu grumbled under his breath, hating interruptions. “She was spying on a private conversation last night then came back to spy some more. She was probably never disciplined by either parent.” The redhead said coldly and didn’t even bother to look up from his papers, writing something down.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CD2z0pSqA
“Shut up!” Alura snapped without thinking. She was not going to let him talk about her parents being bad at raising her.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbYnoYtyPK
Hearing her sharp tone brought a frustrated growl to vibrate out of Hiatsu’s throat, his yellow eyes shifting to glare at the child from under his upper lids. “Girl if you dislike it here and my rules that I’ve had in place for centuries then leave. I do not care which way you do. If you decide to stay then obey my rules. If you leave, fine. Do as you wish.” Hiatsu snapped back with his head now raised to look directly at her, causing her to back down, feeling small in his presence under his dangerous stare.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu1jwWpIi3
Ginsu placed a hand on her back as he looked down and shook his head softly, before looking up at his brother. “She was simply doing what any child would do. Young ones get curious of what the elders speak about and so listened in. You have no right to speak to her without thinking of her feelings, and why she was listening in or questioning you.” The Water God tried to reason with his elder brother, trying to solve this diplomatically to get Hiatsu to see Alura had meant no direct harm. A small, soft smile was on his lips as he spoke those words, trying to lighten his brother’s tense mood so this could be sorted out without violence.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF44HxuxP2
Hiatsu’s glare became firmer with every word that Ginsu spoke to him. His face began to look like it was hardening to appear it had been carved from stone, more than it had the first time she’d met the one in charge. “You wish to defend her? Then you are placed in charge of her.” Hiatsu hissed, zeroing in his sights on his water brother. “Her actions represent your actions. If she misbehaves you shall be punished for her. Agreed, Ginsu?” The darker tone in the Fire God’s voice did not sit well with Alura. It made her quite uncomfortable and uneasy about the now tense situation. She turned her eyes up to look at Ginsu, trying to get out the words she didn’t want him to get hurt because of her if she were to misstep.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcml8bS91mS
Before she could utter a word Ginsu spoke up after remaining silent, his blue eyes narrowed like daggers on the Fire God. “Agreed, Hiatsu,” Ginsu spoke with an ice cold tone that sent shivers down Alura’s spine, having never heard him sound so cold and serious before. “With this agreement you will not lay a hand on Miss Alura again. If she is to break any rules or invoke your wrath, you will summon me and let her return to her room. Is this agreed upon as well?” Alura’s jaw dropped hearing those words of addition to the deal leave Ginsu’s lips. On top of the addition the sight of him not batting an eye or sounding to have second guesses in his serious tone, was also shocking to her.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB40ujZuJEP
Hiatsu was silent, eyes remaining on his younger brother then he spoke after a stiff nod. “Agreed, any misstep or mishap with Alura shall result in no harm or words to her. You will receive all of her punishment, physically without complaint and will take it all until dismissed, and that will only be once I feel enough force has been exerted to equal the crime.” Hiatsu waved his hand for them to leave and Ginsu turned, leading Alura gently out of the room.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6GYsMSiPm
Before Ginsu was fully out of the doorway Hiatsu’s voice caused his legs to stop. “A small warning, after being punished, you are forbidden to allow your duties to slip. If you let your quality of work slip then you will be punished again but for your failure to execute your job.” Once the warning was given with a heated tone, Hiatsu raised a hand then waved it, and the doors slamming behind them after Ginsu had fully entered the hallway. The loud thud was horrible as it echoed off the walls, fading into silence.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbIa1K6VAS
Alura after a moment’s pause turned to face Ginsu trying to read his expression, but found it difficult with guilt weighing on her heart. Now if she messed up just once or a small bit then Ginsu would be hurt because of it. She didn’t like that, not wanting to see the Water God who had been so nice to get hurt. “Why did you do that? Now if I do anything he sees as wrong you’ll be hurt because of it.” Alura said softly with small tears in the corners of her eyes, looking down she felt like she was about to start crying again.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI75JKoUWFi
Ginsu sighed then kneeled down and hugged her close in a soft embrace. He softly moved her back a step and wiped her freshly forming tears before they could fall. “Shhh, there, there it’s alright. You just stick with me. I’ll make sure you don’t do anything wrong to make him mad. Then no one gets hurt, alright?” He asked with a cheery voice, a smile on his face with closed eyes, trying to help her see it wasn’t going to be bad. She wasn’t fully convinced about this despite this man’s positive attitude. Opening his eyes to see her uncertain expression and doubt he thought over what else to add in to show it would be fine. “And…when you’re older….I’ll tell you about your dad.” He whispered causing her to gasp with her eyes widening in surprise. Quickly she closed them and hugged him tightly in excitement, unable to wait but would have to.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlPKiRN4Jf
He let a soft chuckle reverberate out of his throat, returning the hug with a soft pat on her back. “Now then, want to go watch the guards train up close?” he asked while pushing her back gently, not losing his kind smile. She blinked taking this question in then a grin crossed her face and she nodded quickly. He chuckled quietly, standing and ruffled her hair some before starting to run down the hall. “Try and catch me then!” he called behind him, his words and actions reminding her of a little boy instead of a God. They always seemed the type to be stuck up like Hiatsu but Ginsu wasn’t like either of his brothers.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEIc84c8kp
Coming to her senses she gasped and ran after him to catch him. “Wait up!” she called racing after him as fast as she could laughing. She liked him better this way: kind, fun, and friendly. She never wanted to see him so cold and serious again. To her, he was like a second brother or second father and she enjoyed it, having an older brother to protect her from those like Hiatsu.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsLxViy20z
In his room Hiatsu had not returned to working on his papers, his fingers laced to hide his lower face while he glared at the wall. His brother was foolish. He was letting a little brat have the say in what happened. She needed to have limits and boundaries or she would grow up spoiled. To add to this irritation was the simple fact that one brother was an asshole who killed those he wasn’t supposed to, and another who was too kind hearted with a habit of behaving childishly.1184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fR271ydqZ
Inhaling deeply he exhaled through his parted lips muttering words quietly to himself in his empty room. “It doesn’t matter if she leaves. She’s important but we also have her brother that shares the same potential for greatness and aid to us. Ginsu better get his damn shit together. I hate to hurt family but if it will get it through her damn head then, so be it. If he wants to protect her and keep me from enacting discipline on the human, then he will need to suffer that punishment but in harsher force.” He didn’t want to. It pained him inside to think he may need to strike and injure Ginsu, but he would if needed to show he wasn’t slacking in being a leader.
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