She scoffs and me and the derision cuts right to my heart, as easily as any blade might. This isn't her, this really isn't her, I need to remind myself that despite her face and her voice and her stance even. If she's in there, it's down deep beneath this veil of malevolence.

I raise my Shinkenmaru again, pointing it at her and I allow myself to be pleased that my arm isn't shaking. "If you aren't here for him, you have no reason to be here. Don't insult my intelligence, Chiaki."