Ranyin's ears flattened, what was with all the questions? She had already explained that Haoran brought her here, that she belonged with him yet this girl kept poking at things Ran would rather leave alone. Her claws dug into the dirt, irritation building with every passing moment.
Because I want to,
she snapped finally that should have been obvious enough to end the conversation.
But then came another question and this one made something unpleasant twist in her stomach. Her parents; Ran's expression soured further and for a moment she simply stared at Shuyan, suddenly wondering why she couldn't mind her own business.
My mother's gone, she didn't want me and I don't know who my father is. Happy?
the words came out sharp her little lips curling back just enough to expose her teeth.
They didn't want me, so Haoran took me. Is that enough, or do you want to know something else?
She turned her head away abruptly the anger was easier than the embarrassment creeping beneath it. She hated having to explain herself, hated that this stranger had parents who were apparently still around while Ran had been left with neither.
He's the only one that cares about me...
she muttered after a moment, quiet with her pinned ears. She didn't know how far that care went or didn't, truly, but he had noticed her and even though she was not his responsibility, he was the only one who did not abandon her.
His small act of kindness,
of pity maybe to Ranyin had been everything. Where love had always been something withheld or taken away, that single kindness had become something enormous, something she clung to with desperation.
