Fan Fiction ❯ Scions of Shinwa ❯ Infatuations with Aggression ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

By: kaseiyl

MATURE LANGUAGE WARNING!
Foul Language and Insults
Verbal Fighting

First day with the Caspian family,
Jennie begins to learn her new
surroundings as well as discover
secrets are running amauck through the
household. Will she ever learn the
truth?

Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.13.2006 | Updated On: 06.13.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 128 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter Two
Infatuations with Aggression

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Hedgesville, West Virginia
Caspian Residence
Sunday, August 11, 1996
9:45 AM

---

Waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling, Jennie pushed herself up and gazed across the blurry room as her hair stuck out in different directions. She rubbed at her sleep-crusted eyes and began pulling herself from the tangled sheets with a groan.

Where am I? Oh yeah… That weirdo’s house.

Her head throbbed mercilessly as she freed herself from the bed and stood up, feeling herself wobble. Reluctantly moving across the carpeted flooring, she grabbed a hold of the room’s doorknob and pulled the door open. The hallway outside was vacant.

“Where’s everybody?” she asked herself in a mere whisper as she peered to the right of the hallway then left.

Not like I was really expecting them to just be hanging out outside the room.

Fully stepping out of her new bedroom, she closed the door behind her and stood silently. Her eyes settled on the door in front of her, knowing it was that hostile boy’s room. She scanned toward the older son’s door then looked to her left, somehow knowing that that was the girl’s room.

But where is the bathroom?

Her eyes darted to her right and noticed a door at the far end of the hall. She stared at it for a moment then looked again to all the doors on the second floor of the house.

“The stupid kid,” she said aloud, pointing to the door across from her, “then the half-naked guy, and the happy girl.”

Again she peered at the door at the end of the hallway. “The weirdo?”

Or the bathroom?

With the feeling of exploration welling up inside her, Jennie lazily moved across the carpeted hall with the door on her right her destination. As she neared, she paused hesitantly at the sound of running water.

“Bathroom,” she said clearly.

But someone’s using it. She loudly sighed as she turned on her bare feet and headed toward the stairwell. Maybe there’s a bathroom downstairs.

Heading down the stairs, she paused for a moment as she looked to her right and noticed a room that contained a fireplace, a television, a stereo system, and a set of matching furniture. It dawned on her that she was looking into the living room.

Or maybe they call it a family room…

“Morning.”

Jennie’s attention averted around the stairs to find Hiro just as he was shutting a door behind him. He started to head toward her, but turned into the kitchen where he looked over his shoulder at her and smiled.

“Breakfast?” he asked.

“No thanks,” she replied calmly. In the back of her mind she wanted to ask him something, but wasn’t sure what it was yet. She stared downward to her feet.

“Could we talk later?” she asked.

“Certainly,” he replied, “what’s it about?”

“Not sure,” she said honestly. A chill ran down her body as she looked up at him. “Maybe a little of everything. My parents and you. About staying here, too.”

“There’s not much to tell about myself,” Hiro said as he looked away just before turning into the kitchen.

Nothing to tell… Ha, sure…

Again she wanted to explore the house as she paused, noting that behind her was the living room and in front of her was the kitchen. To her right was the front door, but what was back the hallway where Hiro had come from?

Heading past the stairs, she made her way toward the door and pushed it open. Inside was a wooden desk that contained a computer and stacks of papers as well as a few framed pictures. Bookcases lined the walls and were covered in various hardbacks.

Neat, it’s a study.

Her eyes settled on a door to the left of the room, but she feared exploring any further without having one of the household members catching her. Instead she backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Making her way back toward the living room, she peered inside to find that the room hadn’t been unoccupied. It was then that she noticed that the stereo had been on and was playing a radio station.

“You’re up!” Lacey shouted from where she sat on the sofa, “did you want me to make you something to eat?”

“No, I’m okay,” Jennie said with a small smile.

“She needs a diet anyway,” Reno said from his spot on the floor. He was cross-legged with a magazine in his hands. It appeared that he was reading about martial arts.

“Reno!” Lacey shouted as she kicked him in the back of the head from where she sat then turned to look at Jennie, “just ignore him!”

Standing up abruptly, Reno crumbled up his magazine then headed toward the doorway. Before passing, he stopped a few inches in front of her and glared at her with savage eyes.

“What the fuck are you looking at?” he asked, walking off swiftly.

What a jackass…

“Reno doesn’t really like new people,” Lacey said, standing up, “more like he doesn’t make friends too good. And what friends he does have are more like family to him. I’m sure he’ll soon see you as his little sister.”

“Joy,” Jennie mumbled out as she peered past Lacey to a glass sliding door, noticing the backyard from where she stood.

“Excuse me.”

Waking from her thoughts of the outside, Jennie noticed Quade just as he walked around her into the room with a towel draped over his head. His skin was damp while he only wore a loose pair of cotton pants.

“Did I miss something?” While speaking he began to tousle his hair about with the towel then draped the soaked material around his shoulders. The second the towel left his head all his hair stuck out in different directions then fell perfectly into place.

Jennie’s mouth dropped opened as she stared wide-eyed at Quade’s hair. His hair went…perfect. Perfect. Just fell straight to his head. No tangles, no messes, no nothing. Perfect.

“Something wrong?” Quade asked, peering downward at Jennie.

“Your hair,” she muttered as she pointed toward his head, “towel dry and poof…perfect!”

“It’s nothing,” Quade said casually, “my hair has a mind of it’s own.”

Why am I not surprised?

“What’s wrong with Reno?” Quade questioned, ignoring Jennie’s eyes, “saw him bolting upstairs like someone stepped on his shadow again.”

“He’s just nervous,” Lacey said, “having Jennie around.”

“I didn’t do anything to him!” Jennie shouted as she abruptly stormed off.

“They suit each other,” Quade said as Jennie paused just inside the hallway.

The older brother’s words were like a slap to the back of her head. Jennie stood silently with a look of aggravation on her face.

“It would be nice to see them get together,” Lacey pondered, “it’s fate after all. Don’t you think, Quade?”

“Yeah,” Quade said softly, “maybe.”

---

Going out the front door of the house and walking around the building, Jennie found herself walking into the backyard and finding that it was a large meadow which was surrounded by a forest. Within the field was very few trees, but she could see a small pond that appeared clean and clear.

Her eyes scanned across the grass and found a basketball court at the far end of the house along with a garden that had some plants growing. A smile formed on her face as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“It’s nice out here,” she said aloud, “reminds me of home.”

Silence overcame her as Jennie felt suddenly uneasy with her environment. She could feel something watching her. The sensation of being judged was on her as she looked for the one who was spying.

It was then that she noticed an unusual bird sitting on the rim of the basketball hoop. The small bird’s eyes were focused on her as Jennie could barely find it in her to budge an inch.

“What are you?” she asked while studying the animal. The wings were a grayish-blue as well as the top of its head. Its face was white with two black stripes while its breast was chestnut in color with brownish spots.

As if the bird understood her words it began to chirp loudly then spread its wings, allowing Jennie to see inner white, black-stripped feathers. Swiftly it leapt from the rim it sat on and dove at her, sending Jennie backward to the ground out of disbelief.

“What the hell?!”

Jennie turned her attention to the house to find Reno walking onto the back porch from the sliding door. Above her head passed the bird who fluttered away from the girl once it caught sight of the boy at the door and disappeared into the cloudy, blue skies.

Before she could even look for the bird in the sky Reno was hovering over her with his hands formed into tight fists while his eyes seemed filled with agitation. He was fuming and she had no clue to why.

“Don’t be a fucking moron!” he shouted, whipping out a hand and grabbing her arm. Pulling her to her feet, he looked away quickly as to not make eye contact with her. “We’re out in the middle of nowhere! Wild animals can and will attack you!”

“What?” Jennie asked, feeling the grip of his hand on her arm tighten, “stop it! Birds don’t normally attack humans!”

“You’re hurting me!” she screamed as her arm was randomly flicked free. She stumbled back while Reno started to walk away with stern gaze in his eyes.

“I need to talk to my dad,” he stated flatly just before heading up the porch and disappearing into the house.

What the hell was that all about?!

The only thing she could think of was to follow the hotheaded boy. Swiftly chasing after him, she found Reno leaving the living room while turning left. She edged her way to the doorway and peered around.

With the stairs in her line of view she inched her way further until she found the boy heading toward the study. When he disappeared inside, she dashed toward the door and leaned in.

He better not be bitching about me in there…

“They’ve already started,” Reno said, “and the bitch had to go outside. He tried to attack her!”

"Who?" Hiro's voice questioned.

A confused expression formed on her face as she pressed her ear to the door more firmly. What are they talking about? That bird?

“Those fucking birds,” Reno shouted extremely loudly as the sound of something being broken was heard.

“That was quick,” Hiro said with a heavy sigh.

“You knew this would happen!” Reno screamed as another deafening sound rang through Jennie’s ear, “another war and you’re throwing us right into the middle of it!”

A war? Her heart quickened as she felt her blood ran cold.

“If we do our job properly,” Hiro said calmly, “then there isn’t going to be another war. Or I should say ‘your’ job. I’m beyond my years of fighting and passed on my title of leader to you. You have to cool your temper and take on some damn responsibility.”

“I don’t want this shit!” Reno yelled.

“Where you want it or not, you are who you are,” Hiro declared, “you can’t ignore this or else you will be jeopardizing a girl’s life. You head what happened to her parents. What do you think they’ll do to her?”

Oh God, they’re talking about me.

Reaching up for the doorknob, she dared herself to open it. She wanted to question them, and yet she was afraid of knowing what was going on. Her hand drew away from the doorknob as she closed her eyes tightly.

“I don’t fucking care what happens to her,” Reno growled seriously.

“Then why did you come in here,” Hiro asked, “to tell me that they’re coming?”

“I don’t need those fuckers coming in here and slaughtering everyone,” Reno stated.

“You know we can’t die that easily,” Hiro stated.

“But it can happen!” Reno declared.

"I believe we should sit down with Jennie and explain to her what all is going on," Hiro said, "I don't want to keep her out of the dark for too long. It would've been so much easier if I could've raised her as my own child, but her parents were too stubborn. They were afraid to see their grandchild leave them."

Silence came soon after that as Jennie just stood against the door, trying to put everything together that had been said. I don’t get it. What’s up with those two? War and dying?

"What the fuck do you want from me?" Reno abruptly asked, breaking the silence.

"Protect her," Hiro said, "look after her like I looked after your mother. Be the strength she needs until she finds her own. I know you are one of the strongest I've seen in a long time. The last person I knew with a soul as strong as yours was before your mother and I were married. Almost eighteen years ago."

"I don't want to hear your old war stories, old man!" Reno shouted, "if I promise to look after the girl, will you stay off my back?"

"I can't promise that," Hiro stated firmly, "she is my responsibility, too. I can't just overlook you mistreating her."

"Fine," Reno grunted, "should I sit her down and explain everything?"

"Not yet," Hiro said, "this isn't the right time yet to show her what we are yet. People have a hard time understanding and with what has going on around her, it's best to give her time to adjust."

"Why don‘t I just tell her right now...all at once," Reno said, "that way I don‘t have to explain it again."

"Section it off so it's not all one fatal blow," Hiro said in a composed voice.

Backing away from the door, Jennie stared at it for a moment. Her eyes were dim as she questioned what was going around her. Nothing made too much sense to her, but nothing ever really did. Looking to the ground for a moment, she turned and walked off.

"Something's definitely going on," she whispered, rubbing at the back of her neck.

"Something the matter?" Looking up suddenly, Jennie was staring up at Quade as he peered down at her with a blank expression. She shook her head back and forth quickly as he smiled. "You looked a little lost."

"I'm fine," Jennie said with a forced smile. She walked around Quade while keeping the front of her body facing him.

"I'll talk to you later." She gave a small wave then turned and rushed off.

The door that Jennie had been standing in front of opened as Reno and Hiro walked out. Quade stood silent watching the girl disappear up the stairs of the house.

"What happened?" Hiro questioned as Quade turned to look at his father.

"She came from back here and I thought she looked a little confused," Quade replied, looking to the side as if contemplating what was going on, "but when I asked her if something was wrong, she only shook her head and walked off. I get a feeling. There is a shadow over her mind, but I can't get past it."

"Well, I wouldn't try anything to rash on her," Hiro said.

Standing on the top of the stairs, Jennie could hear them speak. Her body felt hot with their words as she clutched her arms close to her body while her hands rested on her chest where she could feel her heart beat wildly within. Her breathing was raspy as she looked over her shoulder to the first floor.

"What they talking about?" she asked herself aloud, curious to know what a Caspian was really like.

Her feet moved without much thought to her new bedroom, opening the door and stepping inside. With the door closed behind her, she pressed her back against it and stared at the barren room. The carpet under her feet was a lavender color that matched the darker purple coloring of the wall. It seemed that the room had once been for intended for a girl.

Heading toward the bed, Jennie paused and stared down at the white comforter that held lacy designs while various plump pillows sat on it. "Too feminine," she whispered, grabbing the pillows and throwing them to the ground. She flopped to the bed and curled up into a ball, thinking about the conversation she heard between Reno and Hiro.

"It seems they know something about who killed my parents," Jennie claimed, talking to herself, "and Reno is a leader? Leader to what? And what was all the talk about fighting and responsibility?"

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. "And they need to tell me who they are? I don‘t understand."

A knock came to the door as Jennie bolted upright from where she laid. Her eyes stared at the door as her breathing was rapid. Another knock came as she got to her feet, moving to the door.

Upon opening it, she found Reno standing with a reluctant gaze. “Can we talk?” he asked.

"About what?" she asked as she noticed the boy seemed to be in an awkward position.

"Can I come in?" he asked as she moved to the side, allowing him entrance. "I want to talk to you about a few things."

"Such as?" she questioned, watching him stand with his back to her in the middle of her room.

"This school year you'll have to stay close to me," he said, "I can't have you wandering off physically or mentally. You have to be with me a hundred percent. Got me?!"

His tone became harsh as he whipped around to glare at her. "If you so much as take one step away from me, something bad could happen to you. And you are my responsibility!"

"And why should I care?" she asked, looking away with a hint of anger in her eyes.

"You'll care when it's your fucking life at stake," Reno shouted, reaching out a hand and snatching her chin. He turned her face so that he could look her straight in the eyes. "There are a bunch of fuckers out there who want you dead. They killed off your family and you're next. I'm the only thing that's going to be able to protect you."

"What are you? Some kind of super human?" Jennie questioned as Reno gave her a startled expression and backed away.

"Look, I don't need you babysitting me! I am capable of taking care of myself. And maybe I want them to kill me."

Her voice was so cold and inhuman. Jennie stared at the ground as she pressed her hands against her legs. "And maybe I ought to let them kill you," Reno muttered, "it would save me a lot of fucking trouble."

Abruptly looking up, Jennie whipped out her hand and started to come down against Reno's cheek, but he caught her hand in mid-strike. "What?" she asked, feeling his harsh grip on her hand.

"Look, bitch, I don't have time to play your little mind games," he stated, eyeing her with arrogant eyes. "I have things I want to do this summer before the break is over. I'm going over to a friend's house in order to collect some research for my dad. You want to come along and meet them? They’ll be your guardians, too."

"Guardians?" Jennie questioned, staring fiercely into Reno's eyes. "I don't need you or anyone else!" She pulled her hand free and pointed to her door.

"Get out of my room!" Her finger pointed sternly at the door as Reno walked past her.

"You're kind of cute when you get all fired up," he said, looking over his shoulder for a brief second as Jennie's eyes caught sight of a shining earring hanging off his left earlobe.

"If you change your mind, I'll be downstairs, getting my shoes on." He opened the door and left.

"Arrogant son-of-a-bitch!" Jennie screamed, stomping her feet into the floor. Downstairs Hiro and Quade stared at the ceiling, wondering what was causing the racket.

Walking to the window of her room, Jennie stared at the small alcove that the window sat it. "I can sit by the window," she whispered, reaching down and touching the spot.

Crawling into the nook, she sat her back against the wall and peered out the window to the field and forest. "It's a pretty view."

Her eyes fell upon Reno as he entered the backyard. Opening her mouth as if to protest his sudden appearance, she watched as he bent down to pick up a basketball. He held it in his hands and tossed it into the air. The ball went into the basketball hoop with ease then rolled back to him. She calmly watched him play the game by himself as she cocked her head to the side. "He's sort of good looking," she whispered.

Looking down to her legs, she frowned to herself and sighed. "My mom didn't want me to be rude to anyone," she said, pushing herself from the window. Walking across the room, she headed out into the hallway then down the stairs. She entered the living room, passing Hiro and Quade who were talking amongst themselves.

Jennie came to a stop at the sliding door as she peered out to Reno who was still playing his game. She gave herself a sound push forward as she opened the door and walked toward the boy.

"Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you," she said as Reno came to a stop in his game. "If you like, I can come with you."

The two stared at each other for a moment as Reno tossed the ball once last time in the hoop. "Alright," he said, eyeing her. "Come on. We'll walk it."

"Wha...what?" Jennie questioned, staring at him. "Do they live that close?"

"Not really, but it would do you some good," Reno replied.

Fighting the urge to snap again, Jennie looked to the ground with wide eyes. "You said that they these people are my guardians? I thought Hiro was to be my guardian?"

"My dad is going to be your parental guardian," Reno stated, "the rest of us are going to be your bodyguards. If the time comes when you are attacked by the ones who killed your parents, you‘ll need us. You got me?"

"I guess," she whispered.

Walking to the front of the house, the two of them headed down the driveway. Jennie followed behind Reno as the summer heat burned at her back. "You'll like my friends," Reno stated suddenly as she stared at the back of his head. "They all are pretty boys. I know how you girls like guy like that."

"Pretty boys?" Jennie questioned, blinking. She rushed up beside Reno and looked him in the face. "And where do you get off saying that about me? I don't like boys who look better than me."

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. "I like rugged guys!"

"Really?" Reno questioned. "So you like being roughed up?"

"I didn't say that!" Jennie shouted as her cheeks flushed.

"It was there," he said, "I could hear it in your voice. You like being abused."

"I do not!" she screamed, shaking her head violently. "Why are we talking about what kind of guys I like?! I'm not in the mood to discuss boys and not to a jerk like you! I should be worrying about my parents." She came to a stop as she looked to the ground, thinking about her mother and father.

Reno stopped in his tracks and groaned. "If you are going to be miserable the whole time, then just fuck off!" he shouted, pointing back to the house. "I don't need you rubbing your depression off on my friends. Quit trying to make us all feel sorry for your ass."

Staring at Reno, she opened her mouth and breathed slowly. "I don't want your pity," she said. "I don't even care to be around you or your messed up family. You all are a bunch of freaks anyway."

She pointed a stern finger at Reno. "Your punk-ass hair and ridiculous eyes! You think you impress people with it? Think you are so special!"

Her expression turned desperate as she found Reno walking down the road. "Quit ignoring me, you jerk!" she shouted, chasing at him. Having a one-sided argument with herself, she stomped her foot constantly and pointed her finger back and forth between his hair and eyes. "You son-of-a-bitch!"

A hand jutted out swiftly, ramming into her throat, as she soon realized he had returned with such speed at her harsh words. He pressed her body against a tree alongside the road and pushed her up into the air slightly.

"Never call my mother a bitch!" he growled, flinging her effortlessly to the ground.

Landing on the ground with a sound thud, Jennie laid quietly as she rubbed at her aching throat. Her eyes fell silently upon Reno as he walked down the road casually with his hands in his pockets.

She never knew anyone who could have done that to her. So fluently, he rushed toward her then lifted her up with inhuman strength. It hit her hard as her eyes widened; the boy who she was going to have to live with was unearthly.

"Who are you?" she asked quietly as Reno ignored her. "What are you?"

Getting to her feet, she began to follow him at a steady pace. The sun flickered in and out behind the surrounding trees, causing a wave of nausea in the pit of her stomach. Sweat beaded across her forehead as the heat began to slow her mind.

Breathing slowly, her eyes gradually closed as her body made an abrupt lunge forward. She reached out her hand as she tried to grab at Reno's fleeting image. Her body slammed harshly into the ground as dust fluttered around her and her hair scattered out like a halo.

"What the hell is..." Reno looked over his shoulder to find Jennie on the ground. His mouth opened in confusion as he stood silently, staring at her limp body. "What the fuck?!"