Juno was staring out the window when Gin spoke.
"Come with me."
She turned and he was already by the door, pulling on his coat.
Ain's ears twitched from where he laid on the bed. "Oh? A private outing? How romantic."
Gin didn't look at him. "We won't be long."
"Sure, sure." Ain stretched. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Which, let's be honest, leaves you a pretty wide margin."
Juno grabbed her jacket, glancing between them. "What's this about?"
"You'll see." Gin opened the door, waiting.
As they stepped into the hallway, Ain's voice drifted after them. "Try not to get her killed before we even reach Red Cliffs, yeah?"
The door closed on whatever Gin's response would've been.
• •
The streets were quieter now. The earlier chaos of the market had settled into an uneasy lull. Gin walked with purpose, and Juno had to quicken her pace to keep up.
She found herself watching him as they walked. He cut an intimidating figure, the leather harness strapped across his chest holding various weapons, the tactical pants with what seemed like an excessive number of pockets, the worn gloves on his hands. And he was built solid, not bulky like some kind of bodybuilder, but clearly strong.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Somewhere we can talk."
Ugh. The word made her suddenly anxious. She thought about every single one of Ain's warnings, about all the things she couldn't say just to keep his secrets for some reason.
They wove through narrow alleys until they reached a small clearing, barely a park, just an open space with a few weathered benches and dying grass.
Gin stopped in the center and turned to face her. For a moment, he just looked at her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Juno blinked. "What?"
"Since Limbo. Since everything." His voice was careful. "You holding up alright?"
She shifted her weight. "I'm fine."
"You sure about that?"
It seemed like he was looking for cracks.
"Why are we really here?" Juno asked, crossing her arms.
Gin was quiet for a second and he sighed. "Red Cliffs isn't going to be easy. If something goes wrong, and things usually do, you need to be able to handle yourself."
"I can handle myself."
"Can you?" He took a step forward. "If a demon corners you and I'm not there, what do you do?"
Juno's jaw tightened. "I don't know. Run?"
"And if you can't run?"
She didn't answer.
Gin's expression softened just slightly. "I'm not trying to scare you. I just need to know you'll survive if things go sideways." He paused. "Take out the dagger."
Juno hesitated, then reached for the blade at her side.
Gin nodded. "In a real fight, the first hit matters most. You're smaller, weaker than most demons. You're not going to overpower anyone." He stepped closer, adjusting her grip on the dagger. "But if you're fast, if you're smart, you can land a hit before they expect it. And sometimes that's all you need."
His hand lingered on hers for a moment.
"Aim for weak points," he continued, stepping back. "Throat, eyes, joints. Anywhere that'll make them hesitate."
Juno swallowed, nodding.
"Show me."
She moved awkwardly, the blade cutting through empty air. It felt ridiculous, like playing pretend.
Do I really have to do this?
"Again."
She tried once more, a little faster this time, but still feeling like an idiot flailing around with a knife.
"Better. But you're telegraphing. Don't wind up, just strike."
Juno exhaled and reset her stance. This time, she moved on instinct, the blade slicing forward in a clean arc.
Gin caught her wrist effortlessly, stopping the strike inches from his chest. "Good. That's better."
He released her, and she stumbled back slightly, breathing harder than she expected.
"You're thinking too much," Gin said. "In the moment, you won't have time to think. You just move."
"Easy for you to say."
"It is." His voice was honest. "I've done this a long time."
Juno wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Where did you even learn all this?"
Gin paused, his jaw tightened slightly, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer.
"Military," he said finally, the word coming out reluctant. "A long time ago."
"Military?" Juno tilted her head. "You were a soldier?"
"Something like that." He didn't elaborate, his expression closing off slightly.
Juno wanted to push, to ask more, but something in his face told her not to, at least not now.
"Must've been rough," she said quietly.
Gin's eye flickered to hers, and for just a second, something raw passed through his expression before he hid it. "Yeah. It was."
After some seconds, Gin stepped back, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the memory. "Alright. Let's keep going."
They went through it again, him coming at her, her trying to redirect, to move, to think. Each time, she got a little better. And each time, her body protested a little more.
"Faster," Gin said.
Juno gritted her teeth and tried again.
"You're still hesitating."
"I'm trying–"
"Don't try. Do."
Her frustration was building now. She reset her stance, gripping the dagger tighter.
"Again."
She lunged forward, but her foot caught on uneven ground. Her balance gave out, and she hit the dirt hard. The impact jolted through her ribs, and before she could stop it, a cough tore from her throat. Then another, and another. Oh fuck. No. Not now.
Her chest tightened, she pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it kept coming. Each cough felt like it was ripping her lungs.
And then she tasted it. That coppery metallic taste. Shit.
She coughed into her hand, and when she pulled it away, there were flecks of red on her palm.
Goddammit. Why now? Why does this always happen?
She quickly wiped it on her pants, praying Gin hadn't seen.
"Juno?" Gin's voice cut through the haze, and suddenly he was beside her. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
She couldn't answer. The coughing fit had her doubled over, gasping between each wracking spasm. Her vision blurred at the edges, and all she could think was This is so fucked.
She hated this, how her body betrayed her. Hated the weakness, the helplessness, the way people looked at her when it happened. Hated that she couldn't just be normal for five goddamn minutes.
Gin's hand hovered near her shoulder. "What do you need?"
Juno shook her head, forcing herself to swallow the next cough. Slowly, the fit began to subside. Her throat felt raw, and her chest ached like someone had been standing on it.
When she finally looked up, Gin was watching her with something sharp in his expression. She thought he looked suspicious, like he could see the invisible strings connecting her to Ain.
"I'm fine," she rasped.
"You're not."
"I said I'm fine." Her voice came out harsher than she intended.
His eye flicked to her hand, the one she'd wiped on her pants. She saw the moment he noticed the faint smear of red on the fabric.
His expression darkened, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he stood and offered her a hand.
Juno stared at it for a moment before taking it. He pulled her up carefully, his grip gentler than before.
"We're done," he said quietly.
"No." She wiped her mouth on her sleeve, her pride stinging more than her ribs. "Keep going."
"Juno–"
"I said keep going."
Gin studied her for a long moment, conflicted. "You're not in any condition–"
"I don't want to hear it." Her voice was tight now. "I need to be able to do this. I can't be–" She cut herself off, swallowing hard. "I can't be useless."
Gin's expression softened just slightly. "You're not useless."
"Then stop treating me like I'm going to break."
"I'm not–"
"You are." Juno kept her gaze away from him. "You've been holding back this whole time. I can tell."
Gin didn't deny it.
"I need to know I can actually do this," Juno continued, her voice shaking slightly. "So stop going easy on me."
Gin was silent for a long moment, clearly torn. Then he exhaled slowly. "Alright. But if I see you struggling again, we stop. No arguments."
"Fine."
He reset his stance, and this time, there was less gentleness in his movements, but he was still careful. Still watching her too closely.
He came at her faster than before, but not at full strength. Juno could tell. She tried to redirect like he'd taught her, but he was still faster and more experienced.
He swept her legs out from under her, and she hit the ground again, but this time he'd controlled it, making sure she didn't fall too hard.
"Get up."
Juno pushed herself up, breathing hard.
"Again."
She lunged at him, the dagger cutting through the air, but her form was sloppy. He sidestepped easily, catching her wrist and twisting just enough to make her lose her grip. The blade clattered to the ground.
"Pick it up."
She grabbed the dagger, her hands shaking even more now. But she hesitated, the blade hovering in her hand.
Gin noticed. "What?"
"I don't want to hurt you," she said quietly.
He stepped closer. "You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do." His voice was firm. "I'm a demon, Juno. I heal fast. You could stab me right now and I'd be fine in minutes." He gestured to himself. "So stop holding back. Give it everything you've got. I can take it."
Juno swallowed, looking down at the dagger.
"I need to know you'll actually fight when it matters," Gin continued. "Not pull your punches because you're worried about hurting someone. So come at me. Really try."
She met his eye, searching for any doubt, but there wasn't any.
"Alright," she said quietly.
"Come."
She came at him, her movements were clumsy, uncoordinated, but there was some realness in them she didn't have before. Gin moved to redirect her strike, his attention focused on making sure she didn't hurt herself more than anything else.
And that's when Juno really tried. She wasn't thinking about technique, but just driving the blade forward with everything she had.
Gin reacted on instinct, his arm coming up to block and the blade caught his forearm. The strike was sloppy and off-balanced, but it hit.
Gin jerked back slightly, more from surprise than pain. Blood welled up along his forearm, and Juno froze, frowning, confused at what she just did.
She watched the wound, waiting for it to close like he'd said it would. Seconds passed… five, then ten, and it was still bleeding.
"Why is it not healing?" she asked, worried.
Gin stared at his arm, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion to alarmed.
He touched the edge of the cut, fingers coming away red. "I don't know."
"But you said demons heal fast–"
"We do." His jaw tightened as realization dawned in his eye. "This blade… has something that slows healing."
He looked at the dagger in her hand, then back at his arm. If she'd struck somewhere vital. If he hadn't blocked…
"I didn't know," he muttered, his eye stayed fixed on the wound. "I've had this thing for years. Never knew it could do that."
"I'm sorry," Juno said. "You said I wouldn't hurt you…"
"No." Gin's tone was firm, but she could feel his concern. "You did exactly what I told you to do. This isn't your fault."
But she could see him reassessing everything. This wasn't just a weapon, but something that made him mortal.
"Sit," Juno said, gesturing to the bench. "Let me help."
Gin hesitated, then sat down.
Juno sat beside him, pulling out the small med kit she always carried.
She was examining the wound closely. "It's a bit deep," she murmured, grabbing a gauze pad and pressing it firmly against his arm. She peeked under the gauze after a moment. The flow had slowed down, though it still wasn't closing on its own.
"I don't think it needs stitches, though," she said, half to herself. She let out a short, dry breath that was almost a laugh. "Which is lucky. Because I wouldn't know how to do them anyway."
Gin looked at her then. "You learn fast. You'd figure it out."
"Let's hope I don't have to," she muttered, reaching for the roll of bandages.
He watched her work in silence. There was something about the way she worked, the way she was so careful, so gentle, even though she was clearly exhausted and trembling.
A memory flickered at the edges of his mind, just out of reach.
"You're too reckless."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine, you never are."
"I just want you to be okay."
The voice was young, tired. Familiar in a way that made his chest ache. Someone fragile trying to take care of him even when they could barely take care of themselves.
He looked at Juno, at the exhaustion in her eyes. The way she'd hidden that blood on her hand, the coughing fit she'd tried to downplay. Something was wrong. He didn't know what, but something was very wrong.
And she was trying so hard to hide it. Just like…
He pushed that thought away.
"You've done this before," Gin said quietly.
"Yeah." Juno didn't look up. "Had to patch myself up more times than I can count."
"Why?"
She paused, her fingers stilled for just a moment until she resumed wrapping the bandage. "Hospitals get expensive. And sometimes... it's just easier to do it yourself."
He could tell it wasn't the full truth, but he didn't push it. She clearly did the same for him anyway.
When she finished, she sat back, exhaling slowly. "There. It's not perfect, but it should hold."
Gin flexed his fingers, testing the bandage. "It's good. Thank you."
Juno met his gaze, and he just looked at her.
"You did well today," Gin said.
Juno looked down at her hands. "I highly doubt that."
"I don't."
She shook her head. "I barely managed to land one hit. And that was only because you weren't expecting it. Because you told me not to hold back."
"That's the point." Gin's voice was steady. "In a real fight, no one expects it. That's what keeps you alive."
Juno wanted to believe him, but the doubt sat heavy in her chest. She'd spent her whole life being weak, and one afternoon of training wouldn't change that.
"I'm not strong," she said quietly. "Not like you."
Gin was silent for a moment. Then he said, "You don't need to be."
She looked up at him, confused.
"Strength isn't just physical," Gin continued. "Most fights are won before the first punch is thrown. It's about being smart. Being determined. Not giving up even when your body wants to." His eye held hers. "You've got that. I can see it."
Juno swallowed, not sure what to say.
"Being strong in here." Gin tapped his temple. "That matters more than anything else. And you are. You wouldn't have made it this far otherwise."
Something warm filled her chest, but the doubt didn't fully disappear. Still, hearing him say it... it helped.
"Thanks," she said softly.
Gin stood, reaching into his coat. "Here."
He pulled out a small wrapped bundle and held it out to her.
Juno took it. "What's this?"
"Food. You haven't eaten since breakfast."
She unwrapped it carefully. It was bread, some kind of fruit she didn't recognize, and what looked like roasted vegetables.
She looked up at him, feeling her throat tightening up. Back on the boat, he'd been cold and distant, barely looking at her when he handed her food. Now he was standing here, making sure she ate, giving her a weapon, teaching her how to survive.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "Really."
Gin just nodded, but something in his expression softened slightly as he watched her eat. She took a bite, letting herself actually taste it.
"It's good," she said.
Gin's expression softened further, and there was almost the ghost of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Juno ate a bit more, then she held the bundle out to him. "Do you want some?"
Gin paused, seeming caught off guard by the offer. "I'm fine. You need it more than I do."
"You sure?"
He nodded. "Eat."
When she'd eaten enough to take the edge off her hunger, she wrapped the rest back up carefully.
Gin nodded. "Come on. Let's go back before that cat does something stupid."
• •
When they returned to the room, Ain was exactly where they'd left him, sprawled across the bed like he didn't have a care in the world. Which speaking of him, he probably didn't.
The cat's eyes flicked to Gin's bandaged arm immediately.
"Well, well," Ain drawled, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Looks like someone had fun."
Juno unwrapped the rest of the food and set a piece of bread near Ain's paw without saying anything. Ain glanced at it, then at her, with his ears twitching. For once, he didn't have a sarcastic comment ready.
Gin shot him a flat look. "Don't start."
"Oh, I'm starting." Ain sat up, tail flicking with amusement, but he'd already taken the bread. "Don't tell me you finally noticed what a little bitch Gin is and tried to kill him already? I mean, I can't blame you. I've been tempted myself."
Gin didn't even look at him. "Shut it."
Caught off guard, Juno let out a dry laugh. "It was an accident."
"Sure, sure. An accident." Ain's grin widened. "Happens all the time. One minute you're learning how to fight, and the next, boom, poor Gin's bleeding out."
Gin shot him a warning glare, but Ain barely acknowledged it, still grinning at Juno.
"Just don't come crying to me when he's bleeding out in some alley because you got a little too enthusiastic with that new toy of yours."
Juno's smile faded slightly. "That's not gonna happen."
"Mm," Ain hummed, leaning back. "Debatable. You look a little too satisfied about it. Maybe it's just your first taste of power. Feels good, right? Watching him eat dirt?"
Gin exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face. "This damn cat..."
Ain glanced sideways at Gin. "Though I've gotta say, I'm a little disappointed I missed it. No cool training montage. No moment of watching Gin get taken down a peg. But hey," He stuck his tongue out at Gin. "Next time, I'll make sure she aims somewhere more interesting."
Gin ignored him, shouldering his pack. "We're leaving soon. Twenty minutes. Get ready."
Ain clicked his tongue. "Always a buzzkill, this one." Then, turning to Juno, he tilted his head narrowing his eyes. "All jokes aside, you sure you're up for this? We're not exactly going for a leisurely stroll."
Juno hesitated. Was she ready? Really?
"I..." She swallowed. "I have to be."
Ain studied her for a moment, then he shrugged. "Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Twenty minutes," Gin repeated.
Juno nodded, moving to gather her things. Her fingers fumbled slightly as she grabbed her jacket and double-checked her gear. The nervous energy was building again, that familiar anxiety tightening in her chest.
Can I really do this?
Gin worked efficiently as always. Juno noticed how he favored his injured arm, struggling a bit more than usual with his pack.
She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. "You need help with that?"
Gin didn't look up. "I've got it."
Juno paused, watching the way his fingers gripped the strap. She didn't say anything else, just moved forward and gently took the weight of the pack from him.
Gin stiffened but didn't protest. She adjusted the straps, making sure the load was more balanced before handing it back.
"There," she said quietly. "Better now."
With a small sigh, he took the pack from her, adjusting it over his shoulder. His eye met hers for just a second.
"Thanks," he muttered.
Juno only gave a small nod, already turning away. "Don't mention it."
She moved back to her corner of the room and sat on the edge of her bed. The food Gin had brought her was there, and she unwrapped it again, finishing what was left. Her stomach was tight with nerves, but she forced herself to eat. She'd need the energy.
Ain watched her from across the room, his expression unreadable for once. "Well, if we're all going to die horribly, at least we'll do it on a full stomach."
Despite everything, Juno's lips twitched slightly. Twenty minutes… and then they'd head out to the Red Cliffs, to Gluttony… and to Yves.
She ate slowly, trying not to think about all the ways this could go wrong, or about how unprepared she still felt.
But Gin's words echoed in her mind: Being strong in here matters more than anything else.
She'd have to believe that… she didn't have a choice either way.