I'm not exactly sure when my life spiraled out of control and ended up with me being held prisoner to some psychotic demon with way too much time on his hands. Oh wait. Yes I do. The shit began spiraling out of control the moment I invited a demon into my goddamn home. Not the same psychotic demon holding me prisoner but a fuckin' demon nonetheless.
But before I get ahead of myself, let's start at the very beginning. I know, the beginning of these stories are always kind of boring but who likes a story with no beginning? Certainly not me. Okay, so my name is Hyuga Xin and I'm twenty-one. Pretty young right? Well according to those fantasy books and shit, I'm a bit old for an adventure like this. Most of the protagonists are usually young with very absent parents or just no parents in general.
My parents aren't absent. They're actually kind of clingy if I'm being honest. I mean, not that I can blame them. I was kind of a problem child growing up. It was nothing too crazy, I just rebelled a lot. We're past all that. Now they're just clingy and worried all the time. Intending to please them so they would get the hell off of my back, I went to college and got a Bachelor's degree in Business but I haven't done much with it. That drives them up a wall but at least I got that accomplished so they try not to bug me too much. I work at a bakery shop. Yeah, I know, who'd thought but I like baking so I thought why not get a job that I enjoy. Parents weren't too pleased with that but guess who's life this is? Mine.
Anyway, I was just finishing my shift at the bakery when my phone started to ring. Sighing heavily, I dug through my bottomless pit of a bag and fished out my phone. "I'm busy," I said as soon as I picked up the phone.
"No you aren't," Hanabi, my younger sister, snorted into the receiver. I wrinkled my nose at her and bumped my front door open with my hip. "Your shift ended and you're just getting home."
"Okay but can we talk about how creepy that was? What, are you clocking me or something? Got someone hiding out in the bushes in front of my apartment? Is that what you teenagers do these days?"
Again, Hanabi snorted into the phone. I decided not to point out that Mom and Dad frowned upon snorting. It wasn't ladylike or some shit like that. Maybe Hanabi has been hanging around me too much. "You're not even listening to me, you're totally zoned out," I could just hear her scowling.
"Well, yes, I tend to do that when you and the rest of the family call to bug me."
"Oh, sorry for being concerned for your well being since you never contact us. You could die for all we know."
"Die of what, Hana?"
"I don't know, inhaling too much of that cleaning product you hoard under your sink to clean your apartment fifteen different times a day with."
"Oh, well, exuuuuse for preferring a clean home. There's nothing wrong with that."
"You literally tested positive for OCD. I bet you're cleaning something right now," Hanabi replied, this time with smirk. I quickly threw the sponge into the sink before I could start scrubbing the counter down after wandering into the kitchen.
"That's besides the point—"
"You totally were."
"Shit on a stick, what do you want, Hana?"
A long drawn out sigh buzzed in my ear and I rolled my eyes. My parents insisted that I was the dramatic one but clearly they've never witnessed Hanabi's dramatics. "Have you forgotten about today?" Hanabi asked, knowing full well that I obviously forgot about whatever the fuck she was bothering me with. This time I sighed and rubbed my forehead like I was dealing with some fussy five year old. I had a million things on my mind this morning when I got up from bed but I'm positive I wasn't forgetting anything. "Its Grandpa's birthday."
Oh goddammit.
"Why am I not surprised? That big head of yours is all for show. There's nothing in there but air. I told Mama she needs to have you tested but did she listen to me?"
"Oh shut the hell up, no one listens to you," I snarked back. "And sorry for actually having a life that doesn't revolve around you and the rest of our family. Some of us have actual jobs."
"Yes. At a bakery. How difficult that must be."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. The family wasn't too happy about me working at a bakery but they could all shut the hell up. I love what I do. And besides, they don't know how difficult working at bakery can be. Bakers were metal as fuck. "Grandpa barely even likes me, why do I have to come? And besides, they live out all the way in East Bubba-fuck. Who even has time for that?" I groaned into the phone, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"Xin, you're the one with the cake, remember?"
I almost slapped my forehead because fuck, I did bake a cake for my Grandfather. I pushed off of the counter and hurried to the fridge, peering in to see the strawberries and champagne cake nestled on the bottom shelf. I blinked hard, forgetting that I did agree to make the cake for his birthday. They may not agree with my career choice but that didn't stop them from exploiting the fuck out of it.
"Right. I got the cake. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Bless me Father, for I am about to get several speeding tickets.
So no speeding tickets. Win for me.
Of course, once I made it out of the city limits, there was no stopping me. My Dad's parents retired to the countryside about five years ago and even though I did love them, getting all the way out here was a bitch. Not to mention all of the fuckin' wild animals just roaming around. It never bothered my grandparents but I was literally raised in the middle of the city. Excuse me for not expecting to see wild boar and bears just milling about. Or giant hornets. You ever see one of those shits? Jesus fuck.
Anyway, I was speeding down the only available road and well...what happens next is probably mostly my fault because I admit that I did kind of zone out. However, in my defense, I would like to point out that it wasn't entirely my fault. Just mostly.
I'm speeding down the road, slightly zoned out when something blurs in front of my car. Or maybe it was already in the road and it tried to dodge out of the way of the car, I don't know but I hit it. Well, kind of. I screeched something incomprehensible and jerked the wheel to the side, cringing when the car still managed to clip the blur. I swerved, tires squealing loudly before coming to a hard halt.
"Oh my God," I uttered, hands gripping the steering wheel. "Is the cake okay?!" I yanked my seatbelt off and dove into the backseats, momentarily getting stuck because of the wide berth of my goddamn hips. Fortunately, the cake was fine. The last thing I needed was my family bitching about ruining the one job they gave me. Whatever the fuck I hit probably wasn't fine. In fact, I'm not sure what it was but I'm pretty sure it's dead. Or dying. Wow, that's probably inhumane. I struggled back into the front seat and looked out of the window, in search of whatever the fuck I hit.
I should have just continued on my merry little way but did I? Nope. Of course. Of fuckin' course not. No, my dumbass decided to get out of the car and walk a bit down the road, eyes searching for a body. I wondered if it would be a good idea to call my sisters. Or my Dad. Maybe they would know what to do. Maybe whatever I hit just wandered off to die or lick its wounds.
Just as I turned back towards my car, something darted out of the grass and body slammed me into the ground. I gasped loudly under what felt like a human's body. Jesus fuck, I hit a person. But wait a damn minute. If I did hit this person, how the fuck did they manage to tackle me? Okay, whatever, not important. What is important that I had about nine years of training in boxing. I should not be easily tackled like this. I managed to bend my knees, pressing them into my chest and my feet into the assailant's chest.
Adrenaline pulsing through my veins, I managed to heave my heavy ass attacker over me and off of the road. Gasping for breath because the motherfucker tried to choke me, I rolled over onto my hands and knees. "Are you—" I gasped for air. "Are you fuckin' serious?! I mean, yeah, I hit you but by accident you asshole! Who the fuck tries to choke a person out?" I shouted in their general direction.
And then something really strange happened.
I felt something weigh down on me. Not physically, as if someone put their hands on my shoulders and pushed down. Like it was an aura or energy. I'm not sure why but it just felt so...murderous. Tendrils of malevolent intent pried past my teeth, curling down my throat and settling in the pit of my stomach. A feral growl sounded off somewhere but I could barely hear it since I was seemingly choking on who's knows what. I felt something in my chest all of a sudden, something tight and very...pure.
Whatever it was suddenly burst from beneath my skin, lighting my veins on liquid fire and dispelling the evil trying to choke the shit out of me. I nearly collapsed once the feeling eroded away. I don't know what the fuck that was but there was no way in Hell I was gonna experience that shit again. The feral growling I heard earlier came to a sharp halt only to be replaced by angry words. At least I think it's angry words. It wasn't Japanese, that's for damn sure. Something in me told me not to look, to just get the fuck up and run to the car. Clearly if this was a horror movie, my stupid ass would be dead. Cause' what did I do? The complete fuckin' opposite of course. I gathered myself as much as I could and slowly looked up.
Only to see freakishly pretty eyes glaring right back at me.
Which is saying a lot because I'm convinced that my family has the prettiest eyes ever. Wait, that's not the point. The point is those pretty eyes (cyan, if anyone's wondering) were glaring fiercely at me. I mean, if looks could kill, that would be it for me. Those eyes belonged to a tan man with wild red hair and a really pretty face. Honestly, pretty couldn't even describe this man. It was something almost supernatural about him.
And he looked like he wanted to kill me.
Before I could unleash Hell on his ass for tackling me like a fuckin' hooligan, he was up on his feet. Weird cause that was fast as fuck. He was suddenly standing over me, seemingly freakishly tall. He looked as if he would reach for me and that's when I got my ass into gear. This motherfucker just tried to choke me. No way I was gonna let his hands any where near me.
"The fuck is your problem?!" I surged to my feet with a shrill battle cry. Dad always said that I have this habit of loudly projecting myself because I'm so small. At 5'2, the world didn't quite take you serious. "Okay, I hit you with my car but what kind of psycho tries to choke someone out like that?! Why in the blue fuck were you in the middle of the goddamn road anyway?" I hissed angrily. The psycho had to be at least 6'0 but do you think that stopped me? Nope. I didn't even think about it. This guy could be some ax-murderer for all I knew.
Finally, he opened his mouth, "be silent, woman!"
My mouth fell open but my voice died somewhere in my throat. What was this, the fourteenth century? Did he really just tell me to be silent?
"You be silent!" I snapped back. "Who the fuck even says shit like that?" I growled, face turning red like a habanero pepper. If this was a cartoon, steam would be blowing out of my ears. "You know what, never-mind that! Are you hurt, do you want me to take you somewhere? Call someone?"
"Why," He began through clenched teeth. "Would I be or hurt or even need your assistance?" He spat liquid acid out. I felt the beginning of a migraine pushing at my brain.
"Because, you dumb motherfucker, I just hit you with my car!" I shouted, fed up. Now that I was up close and personal with him, he seemed okay. Actually, I couldn't see anything wrong with him. He should be bleeding or walking with a limp or something but he was okay! My face twisted in confusion. Nope. Not okay. Time to get the fuck outta of there.
I took off towards my car, sneakers slapping against the pavement loudly. I dove into it, glad that I'd left the door open and slammed it shut. I made sure the car doors were locked and slowly glanced into the rear-view mirror.
He was gone.
Nope. Fuck no. That was a sign to get out of this weird ass situation. I've had and seen enough. Yes, I was wrong for hitting a person but clearly that isn't a regular ass person. I don't know what the fuck he was but I did know this is exactly how dumb girls get kidnapped, raped and murdered. I'll be fucked and feathered before that psycho makes a lampshade out of my skin.
I sped off, not looking back.
"You're late."
I struggled through the door with the big cake, trying hard to balance it. I stared blankly at my younger sister and rolled my eyes. "Would you just help me out?" I hissed at her. Hanabi took her time with helping me, smirking for a few good seconds while I struggled.
"Xin!" My other sister, Hinata, suddenly came flouncing down the stairs. Maybe it was because we were twins but Hinata and I got along famously. Despite being twins, we were polar opposites but Hinata was easily my best friend. "I was wondering when you would get here," Hinata smiled as I shoved the cake into Hanabi's hands. She stumbled back but I didn't care, embracing my sister with a smile. "Are you alright? You look a little pale," Hinata pulled back to stare at me but didn't let go of my arms. I squirmed and frowned.
"You mean more than usual? She always looks like that. You do too," Hanabi piped up while whipping by us armed with the cake. "Look who has cake!" Hanabi sung as she danced into the kitchen. The door slid shut behind her but I could hear presumably my parents and grandparents sigh in relief.
"Oh sure, like I wasn't the one who slaved over that damn cake," I commented sourly, hoping my sister would forget her concern for me.
"Xin?"
Course she couldn't forget her concern.
"I'm fine, Hinata, really. I just had a long day," I quickly said, slipping out of her hold. I knew she didn't believe me and she knew I knew just that. Before she could say anything else, the kitchen door slid open and out came Mom. She smiled brightly at the two of us.
"Xin! Finally!" She sung out while coming towards me. She wrapped her thin arms around me to hug me tightly. "It's wonderful to see you, dear," She cooed into my hair. "Come on, Kazuma-san is getting rather impatient," Mom started leading me towards the kitchen. I resisted the urge to snort and roll my eyes. My grandfather is always impatient. I don't know why he's always in some kind of rush, it's not like he's getting any younger or anything.
I enjoyed spending time with my family but I couldn't get over that weird ass guy. There's no possible way a normal person could come out unscathed like that. He looked like the picture of perfect health. It was fuckin' weird.
Before long, the small gathering began to wind down until it was time to go home. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, as well as sarcastic barbs courtesy of my grouch of Grandfather. Mom lowkey threatened me to come visit her and Dad. Hanabi acted like she didn't care if I did or not but I know she does. I made plans to have lunch with Hinata and just like that, we all take off for home.
By the grace of God, I don't hit anything.
"I always feel like..somebody's watching me,"
I snap the radio off, glaring evilly at it. Now that was just weird. Two days had gone by since my grandpa's birthday and well...let's just say I've had the odd feeling of being watched. Hence my annoyance with the damn radio. Sighing heavily, I climb out of the car and took a minute to stare at the damage. That motherfucker walked away just fine but the same couldn't be said for my left headlight. It was busted and I had to replace it, which would cost me a pretty penny.
"What on earth happened to your car?" Hinata asked as soon as I came near our booth. She got up and leaned around the table to kiss my cheek. "I ordered you a salad and an iced tea."
"I, uh, hit something."
"What did you hit? A person?"
I let out a laugh that sounded more like a wheeze. "Don't be silly, Hinata. You know they have wild animals up around Grandpa's house. I hit something on my way up."
Hinata frowned and sat down, eyes still trained on my ruined car. "It's going to cost an awful lot to replace that headlight.."
I roughly massaged my forehead. "Tell me about it. You think Dad would lend me some money to get it fixed?"
"Why would he have to lend it to you? Wouldn't he just give it to you?"
"Yeah, okay, maybe if I was his baby or his favorite. I think he's still bitter about me not going back to school and taking that job at the bakery."
"Don't be ridiculous, Xin. You're still his daughter, he'd give it to you if you just asked."
"Dad wouldn't even give me the time of day if I asked."
Hinata only waved my words off. I was probably being a little dramatic but my relationship with our Father has been rocky since I told him I wasn't going back to school. I mean, we got along well enough but it wasn't like when I was a kid. We've both said some awful things during our last argument. "I think you should ask him. Or Mom. Maybe even Kiyone, you know you're her favorite," Hinata pointed out not unkindly. Kiyone is Mom's mom and I do get along with her the best. It's not something to brag about but I really am her favorite and maybe if I asked her, she could convince Dad to lend me the money.
"How's life, Hinata? How's school?" I asked, deciding to change the subject. Unlike me, Hinata is a full time student. She still lived at home with our parents and Hanabi and was all around a good daughter.
Hinata sighed heavily. "It's exhausting! I wish I took a break," Hinata actually slouches, which is a surprise because she never slouches. I can't help but to glance over my shoulder like our parents or grandparents would suddenly be there to slap the slouch out of her. They all had this freakish obsession over posture. I don't know how many times they smacked my back growing up.
"Dad wouldn't like that, now would he?" I rhetorically asked when my salad was finally served. You would think that working at a bakery, I'd never go hungry. I already had some weight to me, I didn't need the extra pounds. "He'd have a fuckin' conniption if you opened your mouth to say that," I absently stated while stabbing at my salad. I'd rather be eating a cheeseburger right now but whatever.
Hinata pouted and stabbed at her own salad. "I should be able to make my own decisions, I'm an adult now. And watch your mouth…" She shot me a look but I only shrugged. She looked down at my hands, noting that they were covered in bruises, cuts and bandages. "Boxing and baking is an odd mix," She stated out of nowhere.
I shrugged again, this time only one shoulder. "It gets the bills paid so I can't complain. I just have to figure out how to pay for the headlight…" I trailed thoughtlessly. Maybe it wouldn't be too expensive since it was just one headlight. It was quiet between the two of us but I didn't mind. Like I said earlier, Hinata is my best friend. Sitting quietly with her doesn't bother me at all.
"Do you think I could move in with you?"
I choke on a cucumber slice.
Hinata doesn't offer any assistance and I'm forced to beat at my damn chest until I can breath again. "Can you what?"
She sighed heavily, "can I move in—"
"Are you crazy?"
She only stared at me in confusion. "Don't you have that extra room?"
"I do but that's not the point! Dad didn't talk to me for the entire summer, Hinata. He just started talking to me, you remember how those awkward Sunday dinners went! For someone so old, he's petty as hell," I reminded her almost frantically. Mom insisted that even if I did move out, I should still come home to have Sunday dinners with the family. Which was fine, I guess, except Dad wouldn't even look into my direction during the entire time.
"You also made it a point to ignore him during those awkward Sunday dinners."
"Well, I'm young, I have an excuse for being petty."
"You aren't saying no, Xin but you are avoiding it."
I glared at my sister and shoved a forkful of salad into my mouth. I chewed slowly, snorting when Hinata rolled eyes. I finally swallowed only to gulp a mouthful of ice tea. "What brought this on?" I asked instead of answering to her accusation.
"You sound like Mom," Hinata uttered quietly, almost sullenly. I tilted my head to the side, wondering what was eating at her. "I have no freedom," She blurted out. "I'm twenty-one and I still have a curfew. They still treat me like a child! Don't you think that's ridiculous?"
"Well, I mean you are living under their roof. Their house, their rules."
"You sound like Mom!" She repeated in exasperation. I only shrugged apathetically. I don't know how many times I had that argument with my parents before I got sick and tired of it. "I can get a job and help you with your rent."
"But Hinata, you're a student. Don't you realize how tired you'll be?"
For a moment, she sits and thinks it over. It's not like I go to school but real life is kind of hard. It was easy when you had your unnecessarily wealthy parents handling everything for you. If I was still living with my parents, my car would have already been taken care of. In fact, they'd probably just buy a new one. Living on my own made me realize just how frivolous my lifestyle before was. Sure, I miss it sometimes and the thought of being damn there broke sometimes stabs at my soul a little but I wouldn't change a thing. I liked being an adult. I liked my independence.
Hinata wanted it too, I guess. "I'm tired of being treated like a kid."
I sighed and cupped my chin, chewing thoughtfully. It would be nice to have a roommate. And it's not like she'd make a terrible roommate. I knew all of her habits and she knew mine. And I guess it would be nice to have another income. Although I'm not sure where she'd find a job. Maybe at the bakery with me?
"Okay," I say slowly and she perked right up. "But only if you talk to them first," I said quickly. I didn't talk to my parents, I simply told them I was moving out. They were not pleased. To this day, Dad has not been by my apartment to see it for himself. Mom comes by every now and then. I can tell she's sad but proud of me at the same time.
A pretty smile pulls at her lips and she nodded eagerly. Dad was going to kill me.
TeeBeMe: Surprise number 2. Rewrite of Whispers in the Dark. I found a draft of one the chapters from the first story and rereading made me want to write the story again. I also have another story I've been thinking of with Gaara and Xin because I love them together so much. You guys are probably getting tired of their relationship, lol. They never meet on good terms for the first time, do they? Well, tell me what you guys think.