Ch. 21

Knowing I'd see my demon family soon gave me hope that we wouldn't have to worry about anything Spiker and Sponge would do. But it was the end of the first day on the peach that made me realize that James and I weren't as alone in the world as I thought we were.
~

Late afternoon sunlight had turned the sky into rich tapestry of pink and orange by the time Rin caught up to the peach. All around the half-demon, the clouds were huge and puffy, swirling about her like steam from a hot teapot. Rin executed a slow spin in mid-air, allowing the warm wind to tug at her hair and wings. Holding her arms out straight, Rin allowed her body to hang straight and dropped from the sky. Her feet lightly skimmed the fuzz on top of the peach and she immediately retracted her wings, folding them perfectly under her arms and completing her light landing.

"Rin!" James had been seated on the fence, leaning against the sun-warmed skin of the massive fruit. He jumped up now and ran to his sister.

"I see you're doing better," Rin noted as she happily hugged her little brother. Indeed, James's small face had already regained some healthy color. Now if only he weren't so thin...

Well, we ARE on a giant floating fruit, so food won't be too much of a problem. And I supposed I could always manage to snag a fish if we want meat.

Rin glanced up at the rest of her traveling companions. Centipede was standing by the peach stem, idly moving it between two of his many hands. Miss Spider was crouching in the shade of the the open peach door, though she had clearly been keeping a close eye on James, judging from her position. Earthworm was stretched out in a patch of sunlight and Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug were sitting together, having been engaged in some conversation or another.

Probably best to speak to them first. "James, why don't you go sit and wait for me; I'll be right over."

The little boy gazed at his sister for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he agreed as he headed back to his original perch, taking out his travel book and flipping it open. Rin approached the two older insects who moved aside to allow the half-demon to sit between them.

"Are you alright, Rin?" Mrs. Ladybug asked, concern written all over her face.

"Hai, fine," Rin answered as she knelt down. "But I picked up some interesting information."

"What kind of information?" Mr. Grasshopper asked. He cast a worried glance in James's direction before meeting Rin's eyes once more. "Are you and James in any kind of danger?"

"I'm not sure; it depends if Spiker and Sponge turn up and what they tell the authorities."

"What do you mean 'turn up'?" Mr. Grasshopper frowned, drumming the fingers of a lower hand against the peach skin. "They're missing?"

"Most likely they ran for it. Considering the damage the peach did to the country side, it's not surprising. Still, knowing them, they'll pin the blame on me."

"What?"

Rin nodded at Mrs. Ladybug. "They've been in contact with Fred Sanders, the lawyer who sent James and I to live with them." Rin clenched her fists, feeling her claws dig into her palms. "Spiker and Sponge have held him over my head since the day James and I were taken to them. If I didn't behave, they'd have him legally separate me from my brother. Heh, like I was going to let that happen."

"Oh, Rin." Mrs. Ladybug laid a light hand on the half-demon's shoulder. Rin clenched her teeth at the gentle touch, but offered the kindly insect a small smile.

"I could handle it. So long as I could protect James, I was more than willing to play their little game. But I don't think they're going to let this go. Spiker and Sponge will probably tell Sanders I cut the peach stem and kidnapped James."

"Considering that you've done nothing to warrant contact with the lawyer, I doubt any claim Spiker and Sponge make against you would have merit," Mr. Grasshopper said gently. "And I doubt you've done anything in the past that would make people consider you a danger. At the very least, they'd have to face thorough questioning about the time you and James lived with them. That could well lead to the truth about how the two of you were treated."

Rin shook her head. "That won't matter. Believe me, it won't."

Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug fell silent, but traded knowing looks. Rin bit her lip, feeling a slight kinship to her new companions. Smiling slightly, she added,

"But the situation isn't hopeless; we have help."

"From who?" Mrs. Ladybug asked.

"I'll explain everything, but perhaps we can do that later tonight when we're all able to talk?"

Mr. Grasshopper nodded. "Before we retire for the evening, then. A splendid suggestion, my dear."

"And once your brother is asleep and won't be worried by any of this," Mrs. Ladybug added. "But in the meantime, you should relax as well, Rin. You've done an awful lot today already."

Rin rose and stretched. "It'll take a lot more than some two-bit hunk of metal to wear me out," she replied before striding over to sit by James.

"I think it'll be a while before we get to New York," the little boy informed Rin, showing her the travel book. Rin peered at the colorful brochure; while the peach had moved some distance away from England's shores, there was still a good deal of ocean between it and North America.

"I'm not too surprised; seagulls aren't exactly speedy. Not like me," Rin added with a grin.

James grinned back at her. "No one's as fast as you, Rin."

"Right!" Rin flopped back against the sun-warmed peach skin, feeling the heat through her dark red shirt. The sun beat down from the rosy sky, its beams aimed straight at the half-demon's face. Still lying back against the curved peach side, Rin stretched her arms above her head and extended her wings a bit. Curling the edges inward, the black membranes formed a crude but effective awning over both Rin and James. The young half-demon shut her eyes, enjoying the peaceful warmth

"Rin?"

"Hmm?" Rin opened one eye to peer at her younger brother.

"How do you say 'peach' in Japanese?"

Rin closed her eye and smiled. "Momo."

"Momo?"

"Hai, momo."

James leaned back against the peach, as well, his hands behind his head. "If momo is peach and yokai is demon, does that make you a momo yokai?"

Rin considered this, then laughed. "I guess it does," she answered, giving her brother a fond glance. "Though I'd be a momo hiyokai."

"Right," James agreed with a nod. He stifled a yawn and scrubbed at his eyes.

"Tired?"

"A little."

"I know." Rin closed her eyes again. "It's been a big day."

"We're finally on our way to New York City." James paused as his voice took on a more somber tone. "But Auntie Spiker and Auntie Sponge will probably come looking for us."

Rin sat up slightly, keeping her wing extended so that James was still in the shade. Lowering her voice, Rin murmured,

"They may have run for it. I heard a news report from a nearby ship. The police are trying to locate them because of all the damage the peach caused when Centipede cut the stem."

"Really?" James sat up, looking at his sister with wide eyes.

"Really. They may come looking for us, but they won't know where to look."

"But Rin, they know we want to go to New York. Remember?"

"True. But there's no way they're going to be able to get on a ship or a plane. They're in too much trouble right now. Heh, that's what get for telling everyone the peach was theirs!"

James didn't return his sister's laugh. "But once people find out we caused the problems-"

"We didn't do anything, James-chan. No one here meant to cause any damage; we were just trying to escape from Spiker and Sponge. But it's not a problem; if needs be, my uncle will help pay for the damages."

"Your uncle?" James's eyes widened. "Did you send your letter?"

"Even better. I managed to run into one of the demons who lives on Kurosaki territory. He's rushing there now and he'll tell Takasahi Oji-san and the rest of my family to meet us in New York. For all I know, he may even be waiting for us when we get there."

"Really?"

"Maybe." Rin fully sat up, pulling her wings back. "If not, it won't be too long before he gets to the city." Damn humans'll be lucky if there'll BE a New York City when Takashi Oji-san is done with them. Out loud, Rin added,

"I promise everything is going to be okay."

James smiled. "I know." He reached out and grasped his sister's hand. "You always make things better, Rin."

SCREECH!

The siblings glanced up in time to see one of the tethered seagulls struggle free of Centipede's grip and inflict a savage nip to his nose before swooping back up to join its bound brethren. Rolling her eyes, Rin called over to him.

"If you're gonna eat a seagull, snap its neck first!"

Centipede rubbed his nose, aiming a blue-eyed glare in the smirking half-demon's direction. "Thanks for the warning. But I'm dying of hunger over here."

"So are the rest of us!' Earthworm snapped back as Rin, James, and the rest of the bugs rose to their feet to gather around their grousing companions. "It's bad enough that we're roasting out in the sun, but no, we have to starve to death in the meantime." He flopped back dramatically as he moaned,

"A slow miserable death from starvation and thirst. Just leave me here and let the birds finish me off!"

Rin caught James's eye and smiled, baring her fangs slightly. "You tell them, James. I want to see their faces."

"Eh? Tell us what?" Centipede asked as the others cast curious glances down at the little boy. James glanced up at Rin, who smiled and nodded. Encouraged, James looked up at his friends and calmly stated,

"Our whole ship is made of food. We are on a peach."

There was a pause and then relieved chuckles spread through the assembled adults.

"Oh, such a clever little boy," Mrs. Ladybug praised, pulling James to her in a four-armed hug.

"Takes after me," Centipede added.

"After you, Centipede, there is nothing left to take," Miss Spider replied. Rin merely rolled her eyes at Centipede, though she did twitch her ears in agreement with Miss Spider.

"Once again, we should be thankful for you, James," Mr. Grasshopper said, leaning down to fondly tousle James's hair. "And you too, Rin. It seems you're both able to see the forest when others only see trees."

"What? Forest? Are we heading for land now?" Earthworm had recovered from his moaning about starving in time to promptly panic about something else.

"It's an expression," Mr. Grasshopper said with a sigh. "Not being able to see the forest for the trees refers to not seeing an obvious solution to a problem."

"Well, now that we know there isn't a problem, why don't we head downstairs and enjoy a nice dinner together?" Mrs. Ladybug suggested.

"I'll catch up with you," Rin answered. "I'd rather hunt for my dinner."

"Whatcha you gonna do, swoop down and snag a fish?" Centipede asked.

"Actually, I was going to catch my own seagull."

"You... eat seagulls, Rin?" Mrs. Ladybug asked as the rest of the bugs regarded the half-demon with rather dubious looks.

The half-demon flexed her claws. "All the time. They're my favorite." She aimed a sly grin at Centipede. "Want one?"

"Ha ha. I'll stick with the peach."

"Suit yourself. I'll be back soon."

With a sweep of her wings, Rin Kurosaki was on the hunt.
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The sea was a golden mirror against the evening sun. Rin skimmed the smooth surface, noting the occasional flicker of scales breaking the reflective waters.

Huh, guess I really could catch a fish if I wanted to. Meh, I'll offer to catch some tomorrow. Fresh fruit is better than nothing, but James will need more than that. And I'm sure Miss Spider and Centipede would enjoy the meat.

Rin allowed herself to glide over the waters, following the familiar caws of seagulls. There was an entire flock up ahead, no doubt enticed by the abundance of fish. With an eager grin, Rin darted forward and into the wheeling mass of feathers. The seagulls scattered into various directions at the half-demon's arrival, but Rin had already zeroed in on a particularly plump bird.

SNAP!

Rin's powerful fangs sank into the seagull's neck and she jerked her head sharply to the right. She felt the bird's neck break and her feathery burden went limp in her mouth. Shooting upward, Rin allowed herself to free fall as she raked the feathers from the seagull's body. Several feet above the water, she tore a massive chunk of meat from the plucked body and proceeded to regain her balance in midair. Gliding on the air currents, Rin soared back in the direction she came from, chewing on the warm juicy meat. Every so often, she would toss the bird in front of her and then clamp her jaws back around it, tearing more meat of the bones and effortlessly catching the remains. Soon, there was little left of the seagull expect some gnawed bones. Rin let them drop from her claws where she heard them hit the water with a faint splash.

Hmmm. Come to think of it, I could go for another! The thrill of the hunt singing in her blood, Rin wheeled back and gave chase to the seagulls once again.
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Okay, make that two more. Rin licked the grease from her lips as she landed on the peach. Running her claws through her hair, she watched a few more feathers float away on the breeze and gave a satisfied sigh. Ahh, a stomach full of meat was a wonderful thing.

I hope James enjoyed his dinner just as much as I enjoyed mine. Rin cocked her ears, but whatever magic blocked any inside noise from being heard was still in effect. Oh, well, the group would probably just be finishing their meal, so they'd probably just be getting ready to settle in for the evening. Then she could-

Loud shouts and crazed laughter, accompanied by splattering sounds, greeted the half-demon as she opened the door on the top of the peach.

The hell? Rin slid down the tunnel and peered into the room below.

The scene inside the peach was nothing short of absolute chaos. Chunks of peach flesh, dripping with sticky juice, were splattered everywhere. Still shouting with laughter, the entire group (sans Glowworm who was viewing the scene from her perch near the ceiling) was flinging balls of peach at each other. Grasping the wall with her claws, Rin climbed down the craggy pit walls and sat watching the crazed food fight from a ledge about a foot off the ground (and well out of range).

As usual, James was the first to spot her.

"Rin! Look out!" he called as a thick glob of peach flew toward the half-demon. Without even flinching, Rin held her hand out and the peach flesh smacked perfectly into her palm. Gulping down the sweet treat, Rin smirked at her brother and traveling companions.

"I hope that wasn't your best effort."

"Better watch yourself, girlie. Them's fightin' words." Centipede hefted several gobs of peach, grinning at the half-demon. Rin raised an eyebrow at him.

"If you think for one second that you could hit me with a peach-ball," Rin paused to duck to one side as the gobs of peach flew towards her vacated perch, "well, I think you just proved my point, Baka!"

"I told you Rin was fast, Centipede," James called.

"That she is," Mr. Grasshopper said from next to the little boy. "But slow and steady wins the race."

Rin snorted at the tall insect who, being just as peach-splattered as the rest of the group, was not nearly as dignified as he had been that morning. Holding out her arms, Rin challenged,

"Here I am, slow and steady. Come for me, if you can!"

"GET HER!" Centipede yelled. Missiles of peach flew like bombs at Rin, only to hit the wall. Before anyone could register the fact that the half-demon had moved, Rin hailed the group from the opposite end of the room.

"So much for slow and steady. But you're welcome to try again."

The food fight began once more. But this time, every one of the participants had one target: the leaping, bounding half-demon who managed to dodge every single missile that came her way. Ducking, dodging, and twisting faster than anyone's eye (or ear) could follow, Rin led her companions on a merry dance of food-flinging.

"Over here, over here, over here!" she taunted, racing for one end of the room.

"Nope, over here now! Better keep up!" she yelled, turning and bounding in the opposite direction.

"Oh, is that the best you can do?" she asked, standing still for a moment before scampering off in a new direction.

"Come on, I haven't even broken a sweat yet!"

"Then you better start!"

Rin paused, ducking a fresh round of peach balls to answer Centipede's latest challenge.

"Well, since you asked!"

Putting on a burst of speed, Rin began running in a circle around the group until she was a blur of color.

"She IS fast," she heard Mrs. Ladybug say.

"How long can she run like this?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"A long time," James answered, a ball of peach still clutched in his hand as he watched his sister's rapid progress around and around the small group.

"Hey," Centipede panted, his tired arms sagging as he scooped up another batch of peach flesh. "I can keep this up just as long as she can!" He threw his latest batch of peach balls, only for them to barely leave his hands before falling to the ground.

"I do believe that Rin has outdone you, Centipede," Miss Spider informed him with a smirk. With a sigh, Centipede slumped to the floor.

"Okay, okay, we get it! You win!"

Rin darted around the group a few more times, before skidding to a stop next to James. Grinning at the exhausted bunch of bugs, the half-demon crouched down on her heels, her palms on the ground and her wing spikes bristling.

"Next time you feel like challenging me to anything, just remember-"

SPLAT!

Rin was cut off by the feeling of peach flesh striking the back of her head. Looking around, she was confronted by her little brother's mischievous grin.

"Got you!"

Immediately, all of the bugs fell about themselves laughing.

"Oh, well done, James!" Mr. Grasshopper said through his mirth. "He who laughs last laughs best indeed!"

"Atta boy, Jimmy! You showed her!" Centipede nearly fell over he was laughing so hard.

"Oh, you got me, alright," Rin said softly, flicking the peach out of her hair. "But-"

In the blink of an eye, Rin pounced on James, sweeping her laughing little brother in her wings until they both fell back into peach. "-now I got you!"

"And besides," Rin added as she pushed herself to her knees. "I'm your big sister. I'm supposed to let you win."

"That IS true," Mrs. Ladybug agreed, smiling at the two siblings.

"Anyway, as I was saying-" Rin's ear twitched. Without missing a beat, the half-demon pulled James to her with her left arm. In the same instant, she held up her right arm, partly extended her wing and gave it a vicious sweep. Immediately, the globs of peach the group of bugs had thrown at her were sent flying back square into the faces of the ones who threw them.

"-next time you feel like challenging me to anything, just remember that I'll always be one step ahead of you!"

Laughter broke out among the group of friends once more and this time, Rin joined in.
~

Okay, I admit it. The peach fight was fun. And it felt good to be part of the fun for a change.