Chapter 7
Motoko walked into the kitchen where everyone was waiting patiently.
"What is wrong Motoko," Elfriede asked.
"Nothing," Motoko replied, "just some junk mail."
"Oh," Elfriede answered.
"Hazuki," Kouhei started, "is there something wrong?"
"No," Hazuki answered.
"Are you sure," Kouhei continued to question.
"I am fine," she responded, "would you just leave me alone for the moment?"
"Okay," Kouhei snapped.
The day went as usual with the cleaning and tending to the store along with helping the customers. I really should not be this worried about that letter should I? After all, it could be just my brother trying to play tricks on me like when we were little, Motoko thought to himself. The next couple of days went by and Hiromi visited some more brining clothes for Hazuki sometimes. Every time that she came when Motoko would look at Art she would look away and try to avoid his gaze then walk into her room. Poor Art, she has been left out of her family for so long and now that she is with a family member and great friends she still is not noticed to much, Motoko thought to himself. Then the idea came to him.
"Grandpa," Motoko started, "I was wondering if it would be possible if I could take the next couple of days off."
"Really," Ryuuhei asked.
"Yes," Motoko answered.
"Why," Ryuuhei questioned.
"Just to get some things that I need," Motoko answered.
"Okay," Ryuuhei finally said.
"Thank you very much," Motoko said.
The next day Motoko got up and went to eat breakfast.
"Where are you going on your day off," Ryuuhei asked.
"Oh nowhere important," Motoko answered.
"Really," Ryuuhei asked.
"Yeah," Motoko said, "I will be leaving shortly."
"Have a safe trip," Ryuuhei said as Motoko started out the door.
Motoko started down the road and onto the business district. What am I going to do if my brother really has been kidnapped, Motoko thought to himself. Pondering this question all the way to the store that he meant to go to. He walked into the store and was greeted by the store clerk.
"Welcome," the storeowner greeted.
"Hello," Motoko answered.
"Is there any way that I can help you," the clerk asked.
"Why there most certainly is," Motoko replied.
After spending time in the store, he went to get something to eat. He put down his shopping bags and then ordered quick something to eat. After this I should find out some information about castles in Transyllvania, Motoko thought to himself. He ate and paid his bill and then left off for a library. When he got there, he started to search for information about castles and for information about Transyllvania. He stayed there for the majority of the afternoon and finally realizing that he had no idea as to what he was looking for decided to leave. He arrived back at The Marumi a bit later than he had hoped.
"Welcome back," Ryuuhei greeted.
"Ryuuhei do you know where Art is right now," Motoko asked.
"She is probably in her room," Ryuuhei answered.
"Would you go and get her please," Motoko asked.
"Okay," Ryuuhei said, "but why?
"You will see," Motoko said with a smile on his face.
I may not have found out anything about where I am supposed to go but at least maybe I can make Art open up to what is now her family, Motoko thought. Art walked into the room looking as if she did not want to be there.
"What is it," Art asked in her usual voice.
"I have a surprise for you," Motoko asked.
Art tilted her head as if she had never heard the word before.
"It is in this bag," Motoko said indicating the shopping bag, "here you go."
Art walked over to it and peered inside and then her eyes got wide with surprise as she stared into a bag full of new clothes and dresses.
"I thought that since Hazuki was always getting stuff from Hiromi then why not give Art a little something to," Motoko said.
"Thank you," Art murmured quietly still shocked by what had happened.
"You are welcome," Motoko replied.
"Well at least someone knows when to be grateful and when to say 'Thank you' when they are given something," Kouhei said rolling his eyes at Hazuki.
"Silence servant," Hazuki snapped back at Kouhei.
"How about we have you try them on," Motoko asked.
"Yeah I am sure that they will be very cute," Kouhei said.
"O-O-Okay," Art quietly said.
They then watched as Art came out each time with a new outfit on. After she had tried on every one of them she went and packed them up and headed into her room.
"Well it is getting late and we should head off to bed," Ryuuhei stated.
"Okay," Motoko said, "I will be going to bed in just a little bit."
"Good night," all of them said.
"Good night," Motoko replied.
After they had left, Motoko went into Art's room knowing that she would be awake since she slept in the daytime. Just as he thought there, she was as usual lying on her side but not really sleeping.
"Who is it," Art asked.
"It is just me Motoko," Motoko said as he walked into the door.
"What is it that you want," Art asked.
"Just to talk," Motoko replied.
"About what?"
"About you."
"Why about me/"
"Because you are so lucky."
"Really?"
"Yes, absolutely. You have your sister and a bunch of great friends that are always there for you."
"I never have really thought about it that much."
"If I were you I would. These people are willing to lay down their lives for you and Hazuki."
Art was now clearly in deep thought by the look on her face.
"You have a wonderful family where as I just have myself," Motoko stated.
"Yeah I guess you're right," Art said.
"Even though I do have memories of my parents, things like goodnight kisses and stuff it still hurts a bit to think about them."
"My family has only really been here."
"Yeah, so you are lucky compared to me."
"Doesn't mean that I have had all good luck."
"Yes, I know your story, Hazuki told me."
"Luna."
"Yes."
"I never knew that she cared that much about me."
"She does. She is your sister after all."
"Yeah she is."
"Well I better get to bed it is getting late."
"Yeah, good night."
"Good night, oh and before I forget."
Just then Motoko walked up to Art and kissed her gently on the forehead. Art started to turn red.
"What was that for," she asked.
"It was just a goodnight kiss," Motoko answered and then headed out the door. He then started to walk down the hallway when he heard a knock at the door. Who could that be at this time of night, Motoko thought to himself. He went to the front door, opened it, and saw a silhouetted figure standing there.
"Motoko," the person said, "Why have you been so late as to not answer my letter?"
"What on earth are you talking about," Motoko said taken back.
"Don't play dumb with me," the person said, "you should know that your brother's very life is in danger as we speak."
"Tell me where he is," Motoko demanded.
"If you follow the instructions that I gave you in the letter then you would not have to worry about it."
"Tell me where he is or I swear that what I will do to you will be so horrible that even the devil would have a hard time conceiving it."
"I can't do that. All I am here for is to tell you that you are running out of time."
After the person said this, they took something in their hand that shimmered in the light. Motoko recognized it as a knife and stood there in shock as the figure stuck the weapon into their gut and collapsed. Motoko nearly gasped.
"Ryuuhei," Motoko shouted running back into The Marumi.
Because before the entrance lay Hiromi in a growing pool of her own blood.