Disclaimer: Neither Roadbuster nor Elf own anything Type-Moon in this story such as Fate/Stay Night and/or Tsukhime. Law Unto Herself characters and properties are owned by Jennifer L.Barnes. This is a work of crack fanfiction not meant for profit but for enjoyment. Literally.
Also this story contains copious amounts of sex, violence, and the word “fuck”. And Canon rape. Lots of Canon rape.
Fate/Law Intertwined
By: Roadbuster And Elf
This whole week had been bloody worthless. Not only had it been ridiculously cold, but she was in this far-off country without her beloved car or any true safe-house to speak of. Not that she didn’t like Japan, she just preferred an island nation to be more… tropical. Not in the sun sense, but more along the not fucking freezing lines.
Cold was the one enemy that Law Unto Herself had never really been able to defeat. As a vampire, her lifeless blood generally took the temperature of the air around her, which is why her compound was always nice and freaking warm. Jackets don’t tend to work if they don’t have any body heat to trap, after all.
The vampire known as Forest walked down the still bustling city street of Fuyuki on the way back to her Hotel. She was on the verge of just coming out and screaming a string of curses in as many languages she was so pissed off. Her whole reason for even coming here had been reports of supernatural beings fighting and some innocent people receiving the short end of the stick. Jobs had been slow and this was something to do. But, when she had finally gotten here to check everything out… she had missed it.
There had apparently been one Hell of a fire last week, and since then nothing. No attacks, no sightings, not even a fucking stubbed toe had occurred since then. Whatever had happened was over. Countless were dead from it, but in that final clash that erupted a blaze that erased a large chunk of the town whatever had been at war had ended each other. Meaning Forest was stuck wondering around with nothing to do until she could arrange travel back to her compound.
And even that had to be a hassle. She had to contact either Gabriel or Wynn, and have them cart her back. She didn’t like depending on other people and preferred to carve her own path, but it booking an only night-time flight was near impossible and they tended to be more concerned with carrying firearms onto planes these days. Stupid Die Hard movies…
Amidst her bitching to herself, Forest found herself in a street-side market. Most of the shops had closed up for the night, but there were a few still serving a last-minute crowd. It wasn’t all that late yet, one thankful thing about this time of year being that it was dark by 1830 here. And thank the Morrigan they didn’t use that AM/PM crap, either.
Forest paused as she saw what looked to be a large bag of groceries seemingly moving by itself. Further investigation revealed a pair of tiny legs under it and a child’s hands desperately trying to hold onto it. She had to smile at the child trying to help its parents with the shopping by proving it could help carry them as well. So many kids these days seemed so spoiled.
The child turned around, trying to see where it was going and revealed herself to be a young girl, seven or eight at the most. She had her raven hair pulled into adorable little pigtails with the rest of her hair falling freely behind her. She was wearing a large red coat and skirt with black leggings underneath. But above everything else, Forest was drawn to her eyes. Even the fairies rarely had such intense color, and aquamarine was even rarer.
The people of the market began to thin further, yet the girl remained, seemingly making her way to the end of the street slowly. Forest’s maternal instincts wouldn’t allow her to leave until she had made sure the child had found her parents and that they took her home. She followed the girl, pretending to look at the wares from the venders while keeping the girl in her peripheral vision at all times.
It came to the point where the girl had left the market and was still alone. There were less people here and it was dark. This city wasn’t particularly known for violence, but a young girl wondering around by herself in the middle of a darkened street wasn’t something Forest would permit. She wasn’t doing anything else anyway, so a little escort duty wouldn’t be so bad.
She approached the girl at last and said, “Hello, little one,” in a cheery voice. She smiled warmly down at her and bent down on one knee.
“Why have you been following me?” was all the girl said. She didn’t turn around, but kept going. Maybe even a bit faster.
Forest tilted her head and asked, “What do you mean?”
“From the market. You have been following me since I started home from the market. Did you not even realize half those stores you were ‘looking’ at were closed?” She responded, still walking away.
Forest almost chuckled at herself. The girl was insanely sharp, that much was obvious, but that didn’t excuse her from being out here alone. “Would you believe me if I said I was worried about you?” she asked of the girl.
“Not really,” was the reply as expected.
By this point, Forest had to get back up and follow the child again as she was getting away. “Well, it’s the truth… Where are your parents?” she said, keeping her distance, but keeping with the girl.
After a hesitation the girl replied, “Around this next bend. So thank you and goodbye.”
The girl’s voice lacked confidence and it was easy to tell that she was lying. “It’s not particularly nice to lie, little one. Where are they really?” she pressed.
“Dead, alright? It’s not like I need them anyway!” the girl snapped, walking faster.
Forest bit her lip and walked closer to the girl. What she had said had been true, the girl’s thoughts had betrayed as much when she had spoken. “What’s your name? Mine is Forest,” she said.
The girl finally stopped, turning around to glare at her. There was fire in those big eyes as she replied, “My name is Tohsaka Rin, Forest-san. What do you want from me??”
Forest kneeled down again, saying, “Tohsaka-san, all I really want is to make sure you make it home. Honest. So at least let me get you back to the orphanage, OK?”
“Orphanage?! I’m no freeloader! I am the head of the Tohsaka family!” the girl yelled at her, stamping her foot on the ground.
Forest would have chuckled at the girl if her words had not filled her with horror. She had to make sure, and so asked, “You mean… you live by yourself? At least tell me there’s an older sibling or Aunt or something…”
“No, there’s no older sibling or Aunt or something. I don’t need anybody else!” the girl yelled at her again.
“What did I tell you about lying?” Forest asked her.
“Just shut up! I can get home by myself!” the girl said and turned to pick up the groceries.
Forest got up and picked up the groceries before the girl could. The girl glared up at her but before she could scream ‘Thief!’ Forest asked her, “Where is your home, little Rin? I’m going to take you there regardless of whether you want me to or not.”
“You… don’t you call me Rin! And… fine! I’m not really in a position to argue with a bully, am I?” The girl said with a huff and then began to walk again with Forest in toe.
Forest was amazed by the girl’s sheer intelligence. She spoke as if she were twice her age and her mind was nearly as sharp as well. Forest picked up quite a few plans to get rid of her coming from the girl’s head, but she never went through with them. The reason was painfully obvious to her, as well. The girl was lonely. Crushingly so.
As they walked along the streets, Forest was further horrified to find out just how far the girl had to walk to get to the market. It would have taken her hours to get home with the groceries by herself, and even without them, she was already beginning to tire. Forest walked up and bent down to take the girl in her arm, hoisting her up onto her shoulder without effort.
Rin squeaked and then shouted, “You put me down this instant! I can walk just fine you idiot!”
Forest smiled and replied, “Not going to happen, little Rin, you just make yourself at home up there and get used to it.” Rin mumbled something unpleasant but wrapped her tiny arm around Forest’s head to keep herself balanced. Forest’s arm was around her, too, feeling the warmth of the girl’s body.
After a bit, a question that Forest could hear brewing finally escaped the girl’s lips. “You… aren’t warm, Forest-san… You’re energy is off as well… like… you’re dead. You… aren’t human, are you?”
Forest sighed and replied, “That’s right, little Rin, I’m a vampire.” Lying to the kid wasn’t going to work, and she couldn’t think of any way to dodge the issue, either.
The fear from Rin was overshadowed by another emotion… disappointment as she said, “A Dead Apostle… I see. You’re going to take me home and eat me… turning me into some sort of monster then…”
Forest stopped and put down the bag of groceries. She grabbed the girl and placed her down in front of her as she kneeled down again. “Rin, I am not going to eat you. And I’m not a Dead Apostle… I’m different. But if you really are scared and want me to leave now, I will.”
The girl studied her, her impossibly vibrant eyes looking deep into her soul. A thousand thoughts came from her still innocent mind, but eventually the over-ruling one prevailed and the girl said, “Don’t get lazy, vampire! You said you were taking me home and we’re not there yet!”
Forest chuckled at Rin’s candor and picked up the girl and the groceries again. They began their walk home with Forest asking for directions with questions brewing in the vampire’s own mind. The girl smelled like magic and tea, but Forest could sense the magical talent coming off of the girl. Not to mention the girl picked up that the fact that Forest was dead rather quickly.
Forest prompted, “So, I told you what I was so, are you going to be honest to me?”
Rin bit her lip and shook her head, her arm tightening around Forest’s head ever so slightly. The gesture alone spoke volumes and Forest silently cursed her dead parents. The girl was obviously starved for affection and she didn’t really realize it herself, or maybe she did and she wasn’t going to admit it. It seemed that Rin was rather ridiculously stubborn.
Something which Forest could understand all too well.
Forest got them home in good enough time and let Rin down to unlock the door. She stared up at the huge European style mansion that loomed before her and grimaced at the oppressing feel coming from the building. The wards were so thick and uninviting that Forest wasn’t sure if she even wanted to go into the place after she’d been invited. Rin looked up at her as she opened the door and said, “Well, aren’t you coming in?”
That was as good of an invitation as any as Forest chuckled and carried the groceries in. The door shut behind them and Forest almost stopped shivering at the cold around her. It was almost as cold inside as it was outside; Forest looked down at Rin and asked, “Why isn’t the heat on, little Rin?”
“Because it’s expensive so I only have it on when I’m home,” Rin huffed as she showed Forest to the kitchen.
Forest stopped by the furnace and kicked it on. Rin spun around and asked, “What are you doing?”
“It’s bloody freezing in here,” Forest grumbled, “No place for a child.”
Rin glared at her with those aquamarine eyes and said, “I thought cold doesn’t affect a vampire.”
“Actually, I’m constantly cold unless it’s warm out or I’ve just fed or I’m snuggling close to a warm body,” Forest replied with a grin, silently adding, And it’s been a damn long time since I’ve snuggled next to a warm body.
Rin asked, “What sort of vampire are you anyway? You don’t have the feel of a Dead Apostle and you’re not a True Ancestor either.”
“I’m me?” Forest answered with a shrug and a grin, “And how does a little girl know of such things as Dead Apostles and True Ancestors?”
Rin’s eyes narrowed as she said, “You know what I am, why are you asking? I know you’re not that stupid.”
“Well, I wanna hear you say it,” Forest said easily as she started to help Rin put stuff away in the kitchen. She frowned and shifted as she looked around. Forest knew she wasn’t domesticated by any stretch of the word. Her idea of cooking was over an open fire with something she’d killed herself after she skinned and cleaned it. As she was now, she really didn’t eat to live and if she wanted to actually eat something solid she’d simply go to a restaurant.
Rin sighed and said, “Fine, I’m a magus and the head of the Tohsaka line.”
“And what . . .” Forest didn’t need to finish asking the question. She already knew the answer already. She quietly said, “That battle thing, right?”
Rin asked, “What do you know about the Grail War?” Then she pointed and said, “Over there, you’re putting it too high.”
“Oh, okay,” Forest said sheepishly as she put the spice in a place that was easier for Rin to reach. She looked at the girl and answered, “Well that there were a bunch of supernatural entities running around and fighting each other and innocent people were getting hurt.”
Rin titled her head thoughtfully and asked, “And why did you come to Nippon then?”
“Because there were probably people getting hurt,” Forest explained, “And I wasn’t needed else where so I came to Fuyuki to see if there was anything I could do. Apparently I came too late for the main event.”
But I can maybe save a little girl, Forest thought with a smile as Rin looked up at her. Rin asked, “Why would you want to do such a thing?”
“Because I don’t like seeing people getting hurt,” Forest answered honestly, “At least not when there’s something I can do to keep them from getting hurt because people are evil and dumb.”
Rin actually chuckled at that and pointed to the can of . . . something Forest was holding. Forest read the label about leeks as Rin said, “Lower shelf, Forest-san.”
“Just Forest,” she corrected with a grin.
After a few moments Rin asked, “Is that why you helped me, because you don’t like people being hurt even though I wasn’t hurt?”
“Well, you’re alone and a little girl. Even if you’re a magus, it’s still not safe for you to be walking around at night. And carrying groceries that are bigger than you are,” Forest added with a grin.
Rin scowled and said, “You were walking around at night and you’re a little girl.”
Forest blinked at Rin’s assessment of her and looked down at herself. At 5’10, almost 6 feet when she wore her boots, Forest never really thought of herself as little. She shrugged and said, “Yeah, but I’m also a thirteen hundred plus year old vampire. Not really many things scare me. Except zombies. I really don’t like zombies.”
“Of course, they smell bad, Forest,” Rin said with a smile as she started to get out stuff to make dinner.
Forest felt guilty because despite all of her own parental instincts there was the whole cooking issue. She chuckled at Rin’s comment though and said, “But really, I know you don’t have any family members taking care of you, but as a magus there should be another magus you’re under.”
“There is, but I don’t like him. There’s something about him that really gets under my skin,” Rin replied as she pulled out a cook book and began to look thoughtfully through it.
Forest asked, “Why not?”
“I don’t know, but there’s something I really don’t like about that priest, but my father entrusted me to him,” she snorted, “And he apparently has control of the Tohsaka assesses until I’m of age at eighteen.”
Forest’s instincts started blaring at the mention of a priest. “Oh, that could easily be taken care of,” Forest said wickedly, “So, how would you like to live with me?”
******
Rin stared at the blond vampire as she continued to put groceries away at Rin’s direction. She smiled, her eyes closing as she palmed a can of water chestnuts. Rin honestly wasn’t surprised that a woman who drank blood to exist was confused in a kitchen. She stared up at the beautiful blond as she put the chestnuts down and looked down at Rin with expectant eyes.
Rin gnawed on her lip and said, “I . . . have a responsibility that I promised my father I would fulfill before he died.”
“What would that be, Rin?” Forest asked as she perched on the counter.
Rin turned around and answered, “I need to win the Fifth Grail War.”
“You mean that thing that killed all of those people, there’s going to be another one and you’re going to have to fight in it?” Forest asked wide eyed.
Rin nodded and answered, “Yes, I am and I’ll win too, Forest.”
“Not under the guide of a magus priest, that’s for damned sure,” Forest mused thoughtfully, “Wait, is he from the Church?”
Rin nodded and knew what would happen if Kieri saw her new friend and found out what she was. She knew magi were supposed to live alone and in secret, but honestly she didn’t want to live alone. She didn’t want to see Forest stabbed with numerous Black Keys either. Forest groaned, “Bugger, okay, that’s it, you’re coming with me Poppet.”
“What? I can’t do that,” Rin stammered as she looked up at the blond woman, “I mean there’s my training and the Grail War and . . .”
Forest grinned and said, “Oh, trust me, I can get you better training than by some half arsed Bible Wielding Magus.”
******
“I could not unnerve that man or make him the slightest bit angry,” the broad form snorted as he paced back and forth. His violet eyes were bright and his ink black hair, even blacker than Rin’s especially against the moonlit pallor of his skin, was unbound. Forest tilted her head at her godson as Rin peered up at him.
Gabriel Umbra swept out his arms and said, “Every trick failed. Even though I think if I would have used the Lure he probably would have responded to it.”
“I think an asexual rock would respond to you, dear,” Forest said as she ran the brush through Rin’s hair.
It had been over two weeks since she’d found the little girl walking alone from the market place and they were already a family. Even though Forest knew she was going to have problems when the girl was going to get older with that intelligence of hers. However, it seemed like Rin liked the attention that she’d been getting from Forest even though there were things that Rin wasn’t telling Forest, like about a younger sister that had been given to another family because of stupid magus rules.
Forest brushed Rin’s hair in the familiar pig tails and tied them off with the black satin ribbon. Rin actually leaned back against Forest, the girl was so starved for affection that it made Forest want to go punch something, mainly Rin’s dead parents. Yet she wasn’t going to push her little girl about her deceased family members and knew Rin would come talk to her when she was ready. The vampire cuddled the warm little girl in her arms as they both looked up at Gabriel.
Gabriel said, “And there was something there that made me sick, Fore and I don’t know what it was.”
“Maybe all the death that was there,” Forest mused, “I mean, his dad was the mediator of the Grail War before he died, right?”
Rin nodded and said, “Makes sense Forest, so Gabriel, what else did Kieri do?”
“Nothing, he didn’t fight, he just made sure to tell me that you will know when you need to return when the time is right,” he answered with a shrug.
Forest asked, “You mean he didn’t piss a fit when you claimed the Tohsaka estate?”
“I honestly don’t think he cared,” Gabriel answered with a shrug.
Rin chortled, “Makes sense, Kirei doesn’t care about anything, it’s disturbing.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about him any more, poppet,” Forest said to her as she turned the girl and placed her in her lap. “Now, what do you need to bring with you to live with me?”
The girl’s eyes went upward as she thought. It may have just been Forest’s biased opinion, but everything the girl did seemed adorable. Rin then responded to her, “Well, we already packed my clothes, so the only other things I need are my books and my gems. Oh… and I should probably bring that weird knife Kieri gave me.”
Forest nodded to her and asked, “Where are your books, little Rin?”
The girl hopped up and tugged at Forest’s arm, looking up at her with those impossible eyes. She led her into another room, her father’s study. There was a desk riddled with notes and the walls were stacked with books. Rin pointed at the wall and said, “Here they are.”
Forest looked to where she was pointing and thought she could tell a different stack of books, but wanted to make sure. She asked, “Which ones, dear?”
Rin tilted her head in a bit of confusion and said, “All of them, of course.”
Dread began to seep into Forest as she looked at the entire room full of books and asked, “All… of them… in this room?”
Rin nodded happily and said, “Yeah, where there are a few more in my room, but this is most of them.”
Forest faked a smile, but groaned a bit. From behind her she heard a snort and her godson piped up, “Hey, it’s not YOUR magic that has to move all this crap, so I don’t want to hear it, Godmother.”
******
The next day, after they had finally moved all the books and gotten the rest of Rin’s things to the compound, Forest went to Rin and found her in her old room. The girl was playing with her hair absently, lost in confliction. Forest knew it all too well. The same things had been running through the poor girl’s mind ever since she asked her to live with her.
There were two parts to the girl, as Forest had found out. One part was the little girl she loved. Rin was actually very caring and pure, with a heart that craved to give and receive love. But that was at complete odds with her other half. The half that had beat into her by her father, Forest suspected. The bullshit life of a Magus filled with secrecy, greed, and solitude that no parent should ever teach their child.
Forest intended to quash that ideal by raising the child right. It pissed her off to no end when parents polluted their children with shit like this. They should realize that not everyone can HAVE children. That what they have been given was a gift… not a privilege. The girl might not be her offspring… but from now on, she was her daughter.
Forest kneeled down next to her daughter and asked her, “Rin, are you ready to go?”
The girl looked up to her and very slowly nodded. Forest took her tiny hand in hers and began to lead her to the foyer, where Gabriel was waiting. Forest knew she was going to owe her Godson some sort of horrific dessert for helping her like this, but it would be a chance to spoil Rin as well.
Before they entered the room, Rin stopped. Forest turned to her and found her face in utter confliction. “What is it, baby?” Forest asked her, kneeling back down.
“I… I… didn’t tell you everything, Forest…” Rin admitted. She was almost near tears and blurted out, “I… have a sister… Sakura. She was taken away… but… I don’t want to leave without checking on her… and saying goodbye…”
“You didn’t say goodbye when they took her, did you?” Forest asked her quietly.
Tears then did come from her eyes as she shook her head. It broke Forest’s heart to see the girl cry, and she held her close. There was some satisfaction here, though. She knew without Rin saying that she didn’t say goodbye to her sister because it would be showing weakness as a Magus. She didn’t want her father to see her falter and didn’t say anything to the other girl as she was taken away.
“It’s alright, dear Poppet. I can’t go out in the sunlight, but I’m sure Gabriel will take you to see your sister before we go, alright?” Forest asked her.
The girl nodded in return and whispered, “Thank you…”
******
“Now you listen to me you little twit!” snarled Zouken once Makiri, now Matou to the blue haired child in front of him. “I don’t care if you understand or not, but for now, you treat that girl like royalty!”
“Y..Yes, sir!” cried the boy, cowering before him. The child was a disgrace, not worthy of the blood running through his veins… no matter how diluted. Zouken shooed the worthless child away and returned to his study.
Things were not lost, as he had feared. When the Tohsaka heir had been taken in by some outside interloper, he had feared his plans would be snuffed out. The priest was too melancholy to give a Damn what he was doing, but another Magus or whatever the woman was might not have the same approach. If she had found out what was happening to the other Tohsaka girl, she might have brought the Association down on them.
However, according to those he entrusted to keep a watchful eye on that accursed house had told him it looks as if the woman was taking the girl away. If this was true, then he was in an even better position than before. There was no one else that knew of the identity of the girl in his house and no one for the girl to reach out for.
There was a knock at the door and one of his aides walked in and reported, “There is a large foreign man approaching the estate escorting the other Tohsaka child. What shall you have us do, Master?”
This was perfect. She was coming to say goodbye and make sure her sister was doing fine. The girl had been treated very well so far, and should have no complaints, so things couldn’t have worked out better. “Let them in the gate and allow them to see the girl. Do not allow them in the house,” he replied.
Zouken’s face twisted into a smile. They could begin the first of the injections as early as tomorrow.
******
“You’re sure you’re OK here, Sakura?” Rin asked her sister.
The other girl nodded happily, her hair and eye’s matching her own. “Yes, nee-san. It was scary at first, but now it’s OK. They are nice here!”
Rin smiled and said to her, “That’s good… and I apologize for not saying goodbye last time…”
The smaller girl’s eyes widened and she said, “Really?? But… what about?”
Rin held up her hand and said, “No more… I… well, I think I’m going to go my own way. I’m still going to become a Magus and follow Father… but I’m doing it my way. With Forest.”
Sakura hugged her and said, “That’s good, nee-san. It’s no fun when you’re a meanie.”
Rin hugged her back and said, “No it isn’t… Goodbye Sakura.”
Sakura pulled back, a tear in her eye and said, “Goodbye to you, too, nee-san. I love you.”
Rin choked back her own tear and whispered, “I love you, too, Sakura.”
******
“You know, Gabriel, my sister was watching you for most of the time we were there,” Rin said to the large man escorting her.
He laughed a bit and said, “Yeah, I noticed that too, Rin.”
“Don’t get any ideas, mister, she’s still way too young for you!!” Rin said jokingly.
Gabriel laughed again but soon sobered. “Rin, what do you know about the place where your sister lives now?” he asked her.
Rin shrugged and answered, “Not much… There was some deal made with my father when the War started between them that Sakura would live with them afterwards. I think it’s because their magical heritage has dried up, and they want to have an heir that at least has potential.”
“I see,” said the hulking man.
Rin looked up to him, seeing his face frown in what seemed to be worry. “What’s wrong, Gabriel? Is my sister in danger??” she asked him, tugging on his hand.
Gabriel nervously laughed and said, “I’m sure it’s nothing, Rin… Just, the house gave me such a sick feeling whenever I got near it. That’s all.”
“It could be the wards or something,” Rin said thoughtfully.
“That’s probably it,” said the man, smiling at her.
Rin knew he was just trying to keep her calm, but she didn’t know any way to really continue the conversation. Sakura had seemed so happy, and there didn’t seem to be any change with her. She was never good at lying either, so she must be happy. Gabriel must be overthinking things, that’s all.
******
Forest was glad to see that Rin returned bubbly and of high spirits. Apparently her sister was fine, and there was nothing holding her back now. The girl had come up and jumped into her arms, already used to her touch. She was giggling and actually had the appearance of a little girl now.
“So, are you ready now, little one?” Forest asked the girl residing in her arms.
She nodded and said, “I sure am, Mother…”
Forest had heard the thought in the girls head a few times, but she had never said anything. Even now, she could see that the girl was blushing and covering her face like she had said something horrible, begging for forgiveness. The little girl couldn’t know the joy that the word brought to her, and Forest asked her, “What was that, my little Rin?”
Rin peered up at her with those gorgeous eyes and said, “I’m . . . I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” Forest asked gently as she rested her forehead against Rin’s with a smile and met her eyes.
Rin looked down and answered, “I called you Mother . . . I don’t know, but you’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a mother and it seems right. My mother . . .” Rin’s eyes flashed as she went on, “She didn’t care about Sakura or me. She didn’t do anything when they took Sakura away.”
“Oh, Baby,” Forest whispered as she held the little girl tighter, icy pricks stinging her eyes at the tears threatening to fall. She simply held Rin close, it was what she had always wanted to hear, but had thought it was impossible. Yet her little girl was openly accepting her as her mother. I’ll swear to you I’ll make up for what your parents did to you, Forest sent to the little girl as she rocked her gently back and forth.
Rin’s surprisingly strong little arms held her close as Forest held her close, fighting the tears. She felt something wet slide across her cheek and Rin looked up. “Mother! Your eyes are bleeding!” she exclaimed in horror as she reached up and lightly touched Forest’s cheeks.
Forest gave a tiny laugh and said, “I’m crying Baby, that’s all.”
“Oh, Mother,” Rin said as she hugged her close this time, “I didn’t mean to make you cry, I’m sorry.”
“No, no, I’m crying because I’m happy Rin, very happy,” she said with a sniffle as Rin pulled away to look at her.
Rin stroked her cheek and asked, “Really?” The look of hope on Rin’s face was almost crushing. Forest hugged the warm body close and nodded, stroking her fingers through Rin’s long hair.
“Really, Baby,” Forest assured her as she carried her to where Gabriel was waiting.
Gabriel’s eyes lit up at the sight of them and he produced his handkerchief and mopped up her face. Forest laughed at the attention as Gabriel said, “Well, are you two ready to go?”
Rin nodded enthusiastically as she leaned on Forest with a grin. Forest nodded and said, “Let’s go home.”