Name: Kana
Title: Bakemono
Story: Circle never ends
Characters: Freya, Nick
Colors: True Blue 23 A friend is one who dislikes the same people you dislike – Cherry Blossom Pink 19 Bakenmono
Supplies and Styles: Bichromatic
Word count: 533
Rating: PG
Summary: Tina still manages to hurt her.
Notes: Constructive criticism is, as always, welcome


She yells when she charges forward. No one needs to know the shouts are not only because it is training. Freya often yells when she's fighting. It sometimes manages to scare her adversary - if only for a second. But it also makes sure she stays focused. Today though, she yells because she is angry. But there is no reason to tell anyone that...

Her punches are without control - she can't help it. Luckily she's fighting Nick. He's fast and good enough to dodge or block her attacks.

Of course he notices it though. There is a worried look on his face and a clear question in his eyes. She doesn't react to it. And he doesn't ask. She's grateful he doesn't ask.

"Mate."

For a second Freya doubts if she's going to stop - she was just moving in for another attack. She can see Nick is still watching her, still wary and ready to defend yet another attack. Smiling she lowers her fists, bowing her respect after the fight.

"Thank you."

Nick simply shakes his head, puts his arm around her shoulder, places a gentle kiss on top of her head when he pulls her close against his side.

"Want to talk about it after training?"

He can see the doubt and hesitation in her eyes. "You don't have to."

"Guys, no talking. Pay attention, please."

Both bow their apologize to sensei. No one sees how Freya rolls her eyes. Training ends in five minutes...

-

"You remember Tina?"

Looking aside she can see Nick nod affirmative. Recognizes the look on his face. After all, it's what she feels as well.

"I saw her yesterday. At a party of a friend. She was..."

Freya sighs.

"Still the same?"

"Yeah, still the same..."

She hears how Nick clacks his tongue. "What did she do? Or say?"

She pulls up her shoulders. As if she doesn't care. As if it doesn't matter. But he knows her too well. Knows her too well...

"Nothing special. Nothing that matters. Not anymore..."

She isn’t planning on telling him. Not this. Not this. Because it is about Nick. And the words hurt. Hurt her way more than she ever dared to admit.

A sudden snort beside her makes her look up in surprise. There is a smile on Nick's face she doesn't understand.

"Do you remember that Japanese tale you once told me? Or was it your mother who did? Anyway, it doesn't matter who told me."

He can see the confusion. Can read her expressions like a book he knows by heart.

"The tale about the Yokai. The shape shifters... What were their names again?"

Freya chuckles. "Bakemono. You're talking about the Bakemono."

Nick nods. "Yeah, that are the ones. And, I don't know why. But every time I think of Tina, that story comes to my mind..."

She laughs, swinging her arm around his neck. "Tina? A Bakemono?"

"Yeah well. It are shape shifters. She kinda is as well. Not physically, but well… You know what I mean."

Freya snorts softly, then starts giggling, and lets her head rest against Nick’s shoulder. “Tina. A Bakemono.”

It soon sends her into another fit of giggles.