C h a p t e r ➸ 17

This dream was, strange. Unlike any other Kaji had ever seen before. And she knew that she was dreaming.

Kaji stood in a light blanket of snow, still in her school uniform, which she had fallen asleep in. Snowflakes danced around in the air, making it hard to see. However, there was a single figure that stood out from the white snow. One that was blood red.

The snow almost seemed to part, making the red figure more visible. It looked like a wolf. A blood red wolf. Why would she be dreaming of something like this?

Kaji could feel something pulling her to to wolf, calling her. Like she could figure everything out if she could only reach the wolf. Kaji was a bit hesitant at first, but she wanted answers more than anything. Kaji reached out, like she could simply grasp the beast. A loud sharp growl came from the beast, as it lowered itself to a hunting crouch. In a instant, Kaji felt something cold clasp around her wrist. She only saw it for a second, but she knew exactly what it meant. A dark chain wrapped around her wrist. She still couldn't escape her father's grasp even now.

~

Kaji was debating on weather or not she should go to school today. She sat with her legs crossed on her bed, stroking the small red cat's back.

She didn't feel as tired as she had before, but that dream had shaken her a bit. She could go early, but she was more likely to run into Karma that way, and Kaji really really didn't want to see him. He was to smart for his own good.

Kaji's gaze drifted over to a clock, she might as well just go now with the chance of being a bit late. Better than just not going at all.

She gave Fortiá another pat before she hopped up to get ready- well just freshen up since she decided to sleep in her uniform.

~

Kaji had tried her best to push away her thoughts, but that was easier said then done. Kaji was surprised that she was able to get most of her work done today. She had even gone after Karasuma more during practice today. Not even realizing it till the rubber knife was smushed against his neck. Not only that, but Kaji could feel Korosensei eyeing her all day long.

Kaji just really wanted this day to be over with. So she can go home and be able to roll in her troubling thoughts.

Kaji felt like this day had gone on for ages. She felt thankful when they will all dismissed and they were free to go home. She felt a sense of relief when she could just stare up and the sunset painted sky. She just stood there, staring up at the sky.

"Kaji-chan." That was the first time Karma had talked to her that day. Kaji had been glade about not having to deal with him all day, but now, she really just felt her tense muscles relax.

Kaji didn't even say anything as she gazed back to met his amber eyes. She never thought that she would see concern flickering in Karma's amber orbs.

"You seem troubled, you okay?" He seemed like he was trying to hide his worry behind his cocky voice. He wasn't doing a good job at that.

"Yes," Kaji lied. It tasted bitter, telling a lie. It just seemed to cling to her tongue.

"Sure," he sounded more playful now, like he always sounded. Kaji quickly spun on her heels as she noticed him taking a few steps towards her. She didn't want to talk to Karma anymore. She could see herself just spilling everything out to him. She has no idea why, but she just could.

But he didn't let up, Karma just kept close on Kaji's heels. Kaji had almost forgotten that they pretty much take the same path heading home.

"Kaji-chan," Karma had moved up to where he was walking right next to the red haired assassin now. Kaji felt like she should just go ahead and answer him this time. "Yes," she replied in a low tone. "It's not good to lie," Karma sounded like he was just messing with her now. With his mocking tone showing through his words.

"Its bitter," Kaji caught herself mumbling those words. Kaji could feel Karma inching closer and closer to her, she couldn't blame him. She was talking in such a low tone.

"If it's bitter then why lie?" Kaji could feel his breath against her skin. Sending shivers down her spin. Kaji lowered her head ever so slightly. "Reasons," she said this louder, hoping to inch Karma away from her, but he didn't budge. "Your precedent," Kaji added under her breath, kind of hoping that Karma didn't catch that.

Finally Kaji inched over herself, with Karma finally backing off.

"Hey, Karma," Kaji chocked out, still debating in weather she should ask him this or not. Well if she didn't now, he would just annoy her till she did.

Karma hummed as a reply. Kaji made herself take a deep breath before continuing. "When I went up against the God of Death, did you hear all that he said?" Kaji had no idea why she was nervous about the answer. She did know one reason why, she didn't want them to think that she's a monster.

"Yes." Karma's words sliced through Kaji's thoughts. She felt her blood run cold once more. "Ah," she said, trying her best to just brush her thoughts off, "I see." But she couldn't.

"Is it true?" Kaji flinched, "What he said?" It took her a moment, but Kaji slowly nodded. "Dose that trouble you?" Karma was being very persistent, like always. But today just really pissed Kaji off.

"Yes," Kaji replied, she had no idea why she even did. Why should she tell Karma of all people this?

"Why? Why dose that bother you?" Kaji stopped right in her tracks. Now standing right in front of Karma. "You herd what he said," Kaji kept her head down, not wanting to met his eyes. "I've killed many people. I'm like a dog that's still chained to its house even after it's master has died. Add the fact that I'm not even human then that should answer your question v-very well!" Kaji found herself almost shouting out the last part, and stuttering along with it.

Kaji could feel ever single one of her troubles just wash over her all of the sudden. Like a huge wave of ice cold water. The wolf in her dream, her father, the words echoing throughout her head. Kaji's whole body tightened. And for once in her life, Kaji felt cold. Ice cold. Kaji had kept all of her troubles locked away deep inside of her, with only bits and pieces seeping out every now and then. But now, it just seemed to burst. She felt like her head was going to explode, and her eyes might just burst out with tears.

Kaji can't even remember the last time she had cried. Had she ever even cried in her life? She really has no idea. That feeling just added to her cold pain.

"I-I-" Kaji felt something warm wrap around her. Kaji felt her whole body freeze for a single moment, before Kaji really just felt herself go limp.

It took Kaji a moment to figure out what exactly had happened. She even felt her cheeks heat up once she realized what was happening. Karma had wrapped his arms around the small girl and had pulled her into a tight hug.

Something as simple as a hug, Kaji swears that she hasn't even felt the warmth of another like this. Through a simple hug.

It was strange to be this close to Karma. Kaji could swear that she could even hear a faint heartbeat. That and the fact that he was just so warm. It almost seemed to melt all of Kaji's worries right off. If only it was that easy.

"I know I can't tell you everything will be alright," Karma's voice was very soft, like he was saying those words for her and her alone. "But I'll be here for ya," he definitely sounded more like his usual mocking self on that last part. But Kaji could still hear is concern hidden in his voice.

"This is very out of character for you," Kaji mumbled. She found herself relaxing and almost sinking into Karma's warmth, finding that her eyelids had fallen shut.

Karma didn't answer right away, it took him quite a bit to answer. Kaji was a bit disappointed when all he did was mutter a shut up in his mocking tone.

Even if all of her worries still hung in the air, Kaji did at lest feel more relaxed now.

"Karma-san," Kaji could just feel the words falling out of her mouth. "I'm.... scared," she said in a low tone. Without any hesitation at all. For the first time in her life, Kaji admitted it. That she was actually scared. She was raised to wear the mask of a fearless assassin, but she just wasn't.

Even if all of her troubles and worries were still lodged in her brain, she could feel something just lift off her own shoulders.

~

It feels like it took me forever to finish this chapter but I'm pretty proud of it.

Another thing is that while I was writing this I realized that I made Kaji salty. That just popped into my head.

Okay, I'm done now.