Before anyone could speak, Rei refused to accept a single word that Blossom had thrown at her. Her body trembled with rage. Her breath came fast and uneven. Then she summoned her fire sword.
The sword roared to life with a violent hiss. Flames curled along its length, bright and hungry, and she stepped forward without hesitation. The tip pressed against Shion's neck, so close that the heat lifted strands of her hair. Gasps erupted across the hall. Some covered their mouths. Some stepped back. The air grew tight and dangerous.
"If I do not receive justice, then I will take it myself," Rei growled. Her voice cracked with anger and grief. "I will kill her. And whatever made-up butterfly spirit you all claim is attached to her. I will not leave this hall until I get what I want."
Shion did not move. She sat perfectly still. Her hands rested on her lap. Her shoulders did not even rise or fall. Only her eyes trembled, though she forced them to remain steady. The flames licked dangerously close to her throat.
Akari rose from her seat. Panic spread across her face. She looked from Rei's hand to Shion's neck, trying to find any way to stop the strike before it happened. Her own breath shook.
"Withdraw your weapon, Master Akarawa," one of the Clan Masters commanded. His voice trembled, although he tried to hide it.
"Let her go, Rei," Akari demanded. She took a cautious step forward.
Rei snapped her head toward her. "And what will you do? Bath me? Clean away my anger?"
"Rei, this is not you," Rin shouted from across the room. She stepped forward as well. "Stop this. There are other ways. Just not this."
"Other ways?" Rei's voice cracked. "My papa is dead because of her. And everyone here acts like this is a joke. If Shion does not die, then there is no justice. It is not fair. Why does she get to live while he.."
Before she could finish, something soft brushed her cheek.
A flower burst against her face, releasing a cloud of pale gas that shimmered in the air. Rei inhaled instinctively. Her eyes widened. Her body swayed.
Then she collapsed. Her sword faded into sparks. Her knees hit the floor first, then her body fell with a heavy thud that echoed through the hall.
Everything fell silent.
Everyone watched her fall. Some flinched. Some held their breath. Then all eyes turned toward the clicking of Blossom's heels. The sharp sound echoed through the hall as she descended from her high seat.
She walked past Rei's unconscious body without even a glance. Her steps were slow, elegant, and cold. She stopped in front of Shion. Blossom reached out and cupped Shion's face. Her thumb brushed the spot on her neck where the fire had been.
"How dare she bring fire near my treasure," Blossom whispered. Her voice was low and dangerous. "Are you alright, Lady Shion?"
"Yes, my Lord," Shion answered softly. "I am fine. But is she?" She pointed weakly toward Rei on the ground.
"She is only asleep. Too loud and blocking my view," Blossom said. Her calmness spread through the hall. Shoulders relaxed. People released the breath they had held. For a moment, many had believed Blossom killed her.
"Whoever is responsible for this girl should remove her from my hall before I finish her off properly," Blossom added.
Akari stepped forward immediately. But Teacher Gohan reached Rei first.
He knelt beside her and checked her breathing. Then he lifted her with one arm, as though her weight meant nothing. He bowed deeply before Blossom.
"I apologize, my Lord, for everything that has taken place."
Blossom did not soften. "Put her on a leash if you must. Now that she has no parents, teach her proper manners. And teach her how to behave in my hall."
Gohan nodded once. Without another word, he carried Rei out of the room.
Blossom clapped her hands lightly. "Well then. The show is over. Everyone out."
Her voice echoed against the tall walls. Feet began to shuffle. Cloaks brushed against the floor. One by one, people bowed and began to leave. Akari guided Shion out gently, keeping a close arm around her.
But Rin did not move.
She stayed behind. Her eyes followed Blossom.
The hall emptied until only the two of them remained.
Blossom did not turn around. "I said everyone should leave. So why is my enemy still standing here? Or did you not hear me clearly?"
Rin laughed softly. She walked closer with a relaxed ease, as if she did not notice the vines curling lazily near Blossom's feet. "Still hate me, huh?"
She stopped a few steps away and flashed a teasing grin. "Young Lord, I must say… who would have thought the cute flower girl was this dangerous? The way your flower knocked Rei out. It was just like this. Poof. Goodnight." She waved her hands dramatically to reenact it.
Blossom turned to face her. "I will ask again. What do you want, Lady Rin Kisaragi?"
"Whoa. That was fast," Rin muttered and leaned back slightly.
Blossom said nothing. Her arms crossed over her chest. Her gaze was cold, sharp, and unblinking.
Rin raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. You said you studied the Immortals. Which means you know all about powers and queens and all that complicated stuff. You called it the Butterfly Queen, which is extremely confusing."
"I do not speak to people who are meant to be my rivals," Blossom replied. "Leave my hall."
"Please." Rin stepped forward carefully. "I need your help to understand my powers. And how we can help Shion."
At the mention of Shion, Blossom's eyes narrowed like a blade being drawn.
"Cousin Shion," Rin added quickly. "We can help her get rid of the Butterfly."
"No," Blossom said. Her tone was final. "As much as I want to help, I have no authority unless the Ice Queen finds a way to put the Butterfly Queen where it belongs without harming my Shion. Speaking of queens, when are you getting married to yours?"
"Oh. Selene?" Rin scratched her cheek awkwardly. "We are in that phase of who needs who. So marriage is delayed. Honestly, I have no idea about the date. Maybe it will be decided on the seventh date or something." Her voice drifted lower as she mumbled.
Blossom stared without blinking.
Rin sighed. "I know you despise me."
"Thank goodness you know," Blossom answered.
Rin lifted her shoulders. "But it is not my fault Cousin Shion likes me. Or loves me. I do not know which. But I do not see her the way she sees me. Truly, she feels more like a big sister. That is the best way to describe it. She may have been my first kiss, but she is not my first and..."
Rin froze.
Blossom's face changed instantly. Her eyes widened. Her mouth tensed. A dangerous silence filled the hall.
"Your what?" Blossom asked. Her voice was quiet, but it was the type of quiet that could break bones.
"Huh?" Rin blinked quickly.
"You stole my Shion's first kiss. That kiss was meant to be mine. How dare you put your filthy lips on what belongs to me."
Vines began to writhe at Blossom's feet. The air tightened. A violent aura wrapped around her, twisting like blooming thorns.
Rin stepped back immediately. "Okay. That is enough. I think I should go. You look like someone who is about to commit murder. And trust me, I do not want to die today. I do not even know where I would wake up."
She pointed vaguely toward the doors. "So yes. It was nice talking to you, Young Lord. But goodbye."
Then she bolted.
She ran so fast that the doors nearly flew off their hinges when she pushed through them. Her footsteps echoed down the corridor as she fled for her life.
Blossom remained still in the silent hall, her vines slowly settling as the doors closed behind Rin.