Her Mission

She left for the market, it was about a half hour away from the house where the kids lived. She reached the stalls again, but couldn’t find the man she bought water from the first time. Larentia found another stand and the man filled the water ton a with some hesitation. He only took half the amount she offered and shooed her away.

A bit offended she left the market, the staring people made her uncomfortable. It took her a bit longer this time, the weight of the barrel keeping her back. The kids were out playing, but the older boys were missing. She put down the barrel and waited until the kids brought some cups and bowls so they could drink.

They weren’t as eager as they where yesterday, forming somewhat of a line, instead of surrounding her. Probably because they know there’s enough for them all. She smiled and poured water into their bowls and cups. The smiling faces made her happy and encouraged her to stay and continue.

The day went by without much happening. She fed them and healed their wounds when someone got hurt. In the evening, the older boys came back. She looked up at the net they brought with them. They had some fish and some, probably stolen, apples. Larentia couldn’t blame them for stealing, they had to live too.

The oldest looked at her and nodded. He distributed the food among the group of kids and sat down in front of her. “Here. Thanks for healing our wounds and helping with the water.” He said and handed her an apple. She shook her head and handed it back. “I’m fine, I have food myself.”

He shrugged and took a bite himself. “You’re probably not going to stay for long.” He stated, but to her it sounded more like a question. She nodded. “I’m sure there are many others I could help, even if it’s not much.” He nodded too and sighed. “If you agree with it, I’ll check the kids to see if some can be send to the academy.”

He smiled at her, a real one not a fast or a fake one. “Please, miss.” He looked at her, she knew he hoped he was one of them. But she already noticed that he hardly had any. Larentia decided that she would tell him tomorrow, to keep his hope alive just a little longer.

The night fell quickly and they all retreated back to the old run down building. She didn’t catch much sleep, but waited until the next day came. There was enough water in the barrel, so she didn’t need to get more from the market. The older boy talked to her again, hoping she would start searching for potential candidates soon. She smiled and nodded, “But first everyone should get something to drink, right?”

He nodded and quickly rounded up all of the kids around the barrel. She smiled at his eagerness, but it also made her feel pretty bad. He'll hate what I have to tell him. Kiniro laughed at her, Shut up you stupid sheep.

After an hour all of the kids had their water and most of them sat down while drinking. She looked at the boy and shook her head. "Sorry, but I'm sure you don't have enough reiryoku." She looked down at her feet while waiting for an answer. He was silent for awhile and sighed.

"I guess it's aright... I've been here all my life." He said and looked at her. "Sorry, but if I take you to the academy, they'll just send you back." She hugged him for a moment and let him go. "I think I'd better check the other kids..." He nodded but he still look sad when she turned away.

After checking the other kids, she found three kids that showed promise. She told them she would come back and showed them how to practice their reiatsu. Before leaving, she handed out the rest of the fruit the kids. Larentia waved at the kids after she strapped the barrel on her back and headed for her next stop.

She found a small river after walking a while and took a moment too refill her barrel. The water was cold and she had nothing to dry of her feet with. But the water was more important. I'll just wait until my feet are dry. She told herself while she tried to lift the barrel back up.

After a struggle she rolled the barrel back to the shore and sat against it. While looking at the sky she hoped the orphans would be okay. A sigh escaped her lips while she watched the clouds drift by. She slowly drifted off, thinking about her home and friend, when a sound startled her.

Look! You´ve got a visitor! Kiniro alarmed her when she sat up, scanning for any reiatus. A man approached her with a katana clenched in his fists. She slowly got up and placed her hand on Kiniro´s hilt. He looked at her with some fear in his eyes, but kept moving toward her, but slower.

"What do you want?" She asked, while unsheathing Kiniro. "Put your sword away, so we can talk about this in a calm manner." She added, while her heart raced, she wasn't much of a fighter. But if this man would leave her no choice, she would make sure he would stop bothering her.

“S-shut up shinigami!” The man yelled, but it didn’t sound the least bit threatening. Larentia held Kiniro in front of her, while the man slowly came closer to her. “What do you want from me?” She asked again taking a step towards him. Please be a coward... Please be a coward... She wished while trying to calm herself down.

“The m-money!” He said, his steps getting smaller and slower each time. “G-give me the money, and I’ll let you l-live.” Larentia frowned, she needed the money to help others, but this man looked like he could use some help too. “Why do you need my money?” She asked with a demanding tone.

He stopped in his tracks and his face went grim. “I... I just need it.” He said with a tiny voice. “Tell me why.” She said again and took a few steps towards him. “If you don’t...” Her heart was still beating like crazy and her hands where a bit shaky.

“P-please miss! If you don’t...” He yelled desperately and let himself fall to the ground. She looked at him for a while, in amazement. A sobbing sound escaped the man, before bursting into tears. “They have my family!” She ran towards him and laid her hand on his back. “What do you mean..?”

The man looked up to her and Larentia noticed he wasn’t as old as she thought. He was dirty and from his looks she guessed that he hadn’t slept in a long time. “If... If I don’t get enough money they’ll...” He didn’t finish his sentence, but it was all she needed. What should I do... If I give him money they might ask more...

You can kill them. Kiniro said in a cold tone. She looked at the man, sitting down, grasping his sword in absolute despair. I can’t kill... She told Kiniro, It’s forbidden... Kiniro shrugged. Eventually you’re gonna have too. Unless you’re stupid enough to think that you can survive here by being nice. She looked at the man and knew she had to agree with Kiniro, partly.

“I’ll help you...” She told the man and offered him a hand to help him up. He was about a feet taller than her. He nodded and dried his face with his sleeve. “T-thank you miss shinigami!” He was about to throw himself on the ground again, but she stopped him in time. “But first you need to tell me what happened.”

After they sat down and Larentia gave the man some food and water, he started to explain his story to her. He has lived here all his life and eventually he got a job on the market, selling food. He had a better life then most others, he was happily married and had two little girls. But a few days ago, a group of man broke into his house. They took the money they had, but it wasn’t enough. He had to bring the double amount to them, if he wanted to see his family again. They also told him about the shinigami that appeared around the lower districts, hinting on the amount of money she had. “And that’s why I tried...” He finished and looked at the ground.

She nodded, “It’s okay... You had a good reason too.” Larentia waited until he finished his food. Before she left, she had to hide the barrel somewhere. “There is a cave nearby.” The man told her and offered to show her where it was. She smiled and agreed. “After that, I’ll help you get your family back.”