My Way To You

"Rin you horrid child! How hard did you hit her! She has been asleep for 3 days now!"

"I'm sorry My L-lady, ugh!"

"Sorry will not cut it Rin, I paid good money for this child and if she doesn't wake up you will have to compensate me."

"Ugh y-y-yes L-lady Z-Zula."

"Why don't we add this to the debt you already owe me. Let's say 150 gold for the damages and another 150 if this girl dies."

"Anything you say Lady Zula."

Ariana recognized the voices as the women who came to her house. She involuntarily shivered when she heard the deadly tone Lady Zula gave Rin. She tried to open her eyes but her eyelids were too heavy for her so she g.r.o.a.n.e.d instead, signalling her awakening.

A cold hand touched her cheek as she heard Lady Zula squeal in delight. "My little lady has started to stir!" Rin shouted in relief. Ariana was helped up and slumped into a sitting position. Soon she felt something against her lips. It was curved and smooth. "Drink child, it's water." Lady Zula murmured as she tipped the cup upwards.

Ariana obeyed and swallowed the refreshing liquid. Ariana tried to open her eyes again but was immediately stopped. A flood of information started to pour into her head, math, science, literature, dance, music and martial arts.

Ariana grabbed her head with both hands and clenched her teeth. She tried to b.a.r.e the pain without screaming but she couldn't help herself as a stifled m.o.a.n escape her lips. "Child what is wrong?!" Lady Zula said in a panic as she placed her hands on Ariana's shoulders.

Ariana's eyes shot wide open and rolled back revealing only her whites. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water while a low growling noise came from the pit of her stomach. "You will hand over Rin to this child as compensation for damaging our vessel!" A demonic voice resonated from Ariana, echoing within the room.

Lady Zula quickly let go of Ariana and took a few steps back until she collided into Rin's badly beaten body. Lady Zula let out a small shriek as she tried to stop herself from toppling over. "W-what if I refuse to hand the girl over?" Lady Zula said with a shaky voice.

Ariana's head slowly turned towards Lady Zula while her mouth was opened as wide as possible. She faced Lady Zula with eyes as white as snow but it lacked its purity, it was positively demonic. "If you refuse to hand over what we want, we can not guarantee your safety. However if you do as we say we can guarantee endless riches in your future." The demonic voice bellowed.

Lady Zula wrapped her arms around herself protectively as she bit her bottom lip. It was a tempting offer and there was really nothing for her to think about, the child was clearly possessed with something and she did not need to be cursed. "Do I need to sell my soul to you master so I am guaranteed these riches you speak of?" Lady Zula ask cautiously as she started to bend over and reached for Rin's arm.

Ariana let out a blood-curdling laugh that made the hairs on Lady Zula's neck stand on end. "Nonsense!" Ariana snapped. "This girl's parents were nothing but fools! They let go of a priceless treasure that has vast bounds of knowledge! So much knowledge that it can make anyone richer than their wildest dreams!" Ariana roared as she started to lift her body off of the bed and into a standing position. Shen then extended her arms outwards and raised them into the air.

"Rin is yours!" Lady Zula yelled in excitement. "Be for warned mortal, if you are to ever double cross this child, we will return and unleash our wrath on you, your kin and destroy everything that you hold dear!" Ariana yelled into the room before her body toppled back down onto the bed and laid like a pile of rags.

Lady Zula hauled up Rin and threw the girl towards Ariana's bed. "Yes my benevolent master I will do as you say." Lady Zula said as she walked backwards towards the door. When she got to the door knob, she slid her hand behind her, too afraid to turn her back to Ariana as if she would offend the great spirit within her.

The moment she pulled the door open a hoard of women toppled into the room. Lady Zula's face paled a deathly shade of white as her gaze looked over the pile of women on the floor. "Move! Get out of my way or you will die by my hands!" She yelled hysterically. The women on the floor started to scramble out in order to make way for Lady Zula's exit.

The moment the door closed Ariana opened her eyes. She held her breath and strained her ears trying to catch the last of the footsteps leaving the area. The moment she thought it was safe she let out a large breath of relief. Ariana couldn't believe what she had done. A giant smile spread across her face as a new found courage started to sprout with in her. Ariana could barely hold in her pride an excitement. She placed her hand over her mouth, they excitement was starting to spill out and she needed to muffle her giggles.

When she was done laughing she stretched out her limbs upwards and g.r.o.a.n.e.d with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. Ariana felt stiff, she didn't realize that her body needed the stretched. She then sat up and stretched backwards until she heard her back crack. "Oh that's good!" Ariana said to herself.

Feeling refreshed she moved her gaze downwards. When she spotted Rin's body hunched against the bed a smile spread across her face. Ariana lifted up her hand and smacked Rin's shoulders. "Oy! Don't be so down in the dumps! Your new master is ten times more generous then your old!" Ariana said playfully.

Rin brought her face upwards and locked eyes with Ariana. "What do you know." Rin responded remorsefully. Ariana gave her a big grin and hopped off the bed. She put her hands behind her back and took tiny, slow steps forward away from the bed. When Ariana thought she was a good distance away she turned and faced Rin properly. "Quite a bit actually. I have enough knowledge to change this brothel into something spectacular but I lack wisdom of this world. I will regrettably say I have only lived 12 years in this world and almost know next to nothing about the 'intricate' workings of the government, financial institutions or hierarchy. So.... so I need you to be my guardian in a sense." She said bluntly. "You will be my guide and I will change this world for the better." Ariana said as her whole aura changed.

Rin's jaw dropped, she figured that what she had witnessed earlier was an act the moment Ariana started to laugh but she had no idea that this child could produce an aura of an elite. Rin bit her bottom lip and debated internally over her options. Ariana gazed at Rin for a few moments, she noted how badly bruised her body and face were, her heart ached for some strange reason. With a heavy sigh Ariana dropped to her knees and looked at Rin seriously.

"Rin, I will make an arrangement with you." Ariana said softly as she watched Rin's reaction. "I will no doubtably be tested the moment I go downstairs. If you find my performance adequate then pledge your loyalty to me and only me. I swear to you I will buy your and my freedom back from Lady Zula." Rin stopped biting her bottom lip and stared at Ariana. Rin couldn't hide her utter disbelief. The young girl in front of her hand to reason to give her such a tempting offer yet she offered it without a hint of mockery.

Instead Ariana's aquamarine eyes shone with an unwavering pride that made her words seem like nothing but the truth. Rin could not help but nod her head in agreement. "Well now that has bee settled, I dare say that I am starved! Rin let's make our way downstairs and we will discuss the finer details of our arrangement tonight." Ariana said with a giant grin.

She then quickly got up and extend a hand towards Rin. "Please allow me to assist you." Ariana said as she wiggled her fingers in order to entice Rin. "Oh please do pardon my rudeness, my name is Ariana Ivy Thistle but you may call me Ariana." Rin looked at the young girl's shinning face. Even though Ariana had a bruise that was slowly fading from her left eye, Ariana looked positively angelic.

Rin sighed and took Ariana's hand. She didn't use it to haul herself up but didn't want Ariana's gesture to go to waste. "Rinera Bloom but I prefer Rin." She said solemnly as she shook Ariana's hand instead. Ariana nodded "Rin it is! Now Rin let us go downstairs and give them a show that they will never forget!" Ariana said enthusiastically as she released Rin's hand and then pumped a fist into the air.

Rin's eyes widened as she watched Ariana change in demeanor. She couldn't help but feel amused and accidentally allowed herself to smile. Ariana caught sight of Rin's smile and beamed at her in return. She took a few steps closer and reached out to touch Rin's hair. "You know I can help you tie back your hair if yo-u ... ?!" Ariana started to say but was instantly silenced.

Suddenly an array of white light started to shine from Ariana's feet. The light started to shine as it moved upwards. A gentle, gust of wind started to encircle her body causing her dress to gently flutter upwards and her hair started to flow gracefully around her. Rin backed up and stumbled onto the bed, her silver hair slipped out of Ariana's small hands and she watched little, fluff balls of rainbow coloured light dance around Ariana's body as they moved up.

Rin watched in awe as the scene before unfolded. Her eyes then traveled to Ariana's face. "Ariana?!" Rin shouted in a panic. Her face was void of emotions as her eyes glowed white. Ariana's bangs were gently fluttering against her forehead but she looked nothing like the angel she was just a few minutes ago. Instead she was a shell, rather a doll void of life.

It only lasted a minute and soon the wind stopped blowing, the lights were gone and Ariana was standing in front of Rim with a smiling face. "Fascinating." Ariana whispered under her breath. Rin got off of the bed and slowly approached Ariana. "So can I style your hair?" Ariana asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Rin was in absolute shock. The only thing her brain allowed her to do was scratched her own head and shrug when asked a question. Ariana jumped in glee, she pranced towards Rin and patted a spot on the mattress for her to sit on. Ariana then looked around the room and spotted her little messenger bag in the corner. Ariana dashed towards it and looked inside.

She quickly became disappointed and turned to face Rin. "Did I get robbed?" Ariana asked pitifully. Rin sighed as she she looked into Ariana's puppy dog eyes. "Your belongings are no longer yours... the moment you walk through the main door whatever was yours becomes the Madam's and is then rewarded to her favorites." Rin explained.

Tears started to spill over Ariana's soft, white cheeks. "How can they do something like that!" She cried as she fell to her knees. "Why would they be so mean! It was just a brush and compact mirror that my grandmother gave me!" Ariana cried softly as she wiped her tears away with the back of her hands.

Rin sighed and walked over towards Ariana. She placed a gentle hand on the top of Ariana's head. "I have a brush in my room... we can go in there. Then you can do whatever you want to my hair." Rin said awkwardly as she tried to comfort the young girl. Ariana looked up and saw that Rin was slightly blushing. Ariana gave Rin a quick "Mmh." as she sniffed back her tears.

Rin stretched out her hand and melted when Ariana slipped her small hand into hers. Earlier she felt nothing as Ariana was speaking to her as an equal but now she looked like a little girl who needed her protection. Ariana curled herself around Rin's arm as they walked out of her room and traveled down the hall towards a door that was decorated with fine golden leaves and vines.

Ariana gasped as she walked into Rin's room. Her eyes grew with excitement, she let go of Rin's arm and started looking at the various stuffed animals Rin had decorated the room with. "Are these all yours!" Ariana shouted with admiration.

Rin nodded and watched the girl zip around the room, cuddling every plushie she could get her hands on. "Do you still want to brush my hair?" Rin asked with a small chuckle. Ariana nodded her head then placed the plushies that were I her arms onto the bed. Rin walked up to her small vanity and looked through a drawer. With a small sigh Rin pulled out a hair brush.

"I believe this belongs to you..." Rin said as she handed a small brass brush to Ariana. The bristles where soft while the back of the brush was decorated with aquamarine crystal, flowers and small, white pearls forming the letter 'A'.

Ariana extended a shaky hand and gently touched the brush. After a few seconds Ariana grabbed the brush out of Rin's hand and hugged it against her c.h.e.s.t. Ariana peaked up from beneath her eyelashes to look up at Rin. "Thank you." Ariana said softly as she embraced her treasure.

After a moment Ariana wiped a few tears away and straightened her back. "Alright Rin, I need some hair ties." Ariana said excitedly. Rin laughed as she fetched the ties. "Now time to make you look beautiful!" Ariana exclaimed as she jumped into the air with her arms stretched outwards.

Rin grabbed her sides and laughed hard. Ariana was one of a kind. She could never guess how this young girl would react. "Ok, ok stop laughing I need to work." Ariana said seriously as she pointed to a spot on the bed. Rin stoped laughing and walked over to the bed. She obediently sat down. Ariana scooted onto the bed and kneeled behind Rin. She then quickly started brushing Rin's hair and separated it into three sections. She made corn rows on the left side of Rin's head, then made three medium sized twists on the right giving the illusion of sweet curls. Finally Ariana tied it all together into a ponytail on the back of Rin's head while leaving a medium fringe in the front.

Ariana gently pulled the twisted hair slightly apart, especially where she made the hair into a comb over. With her medium fringe combining with the slightly pulled curls Rin's hair looked more puffy and soft as a wave of silver swept back. "Done!" Ariana announced proudly. Rin walked to her vanity and looked at her own reflection. Rin gasped as she looked at her hair. "How did you do this?!" She questioned Ariana with wide eyes.

Ariana sat on Rin's bed and started to swing her legs side to side. "I don't know it just came to me after I touched your hair." Ariana replied nonchalantly. Rin looked back at herself again and grinned she gently touched her silver hair, checking to see if it was real. "Well let's go downstairs. I can't wait to see the show you will put on." Rin said with a wicked smile.