Conspiracy

Hana's hands trembled uncontrollably as he clutched them tightly at his sides. The man standing in front of them was definitely his uncle, but his appearance was much different than what they expected. There was something greatly intimidating about him as well, although he was a mirror image of his father. Yoh didn't have the same eyes. His father's eyes were less intense somehow. He couldn't pinpoint the difference.

"I've waited for this day for a long time, Hana," he said calmly after several seconds of silence. "Welcome."

His smooth voice caused instability in Mei's knees, and she slightly lost her balance. She caught herself quickly before falling over, however, and took a deep breath.

"Hi." Hana was unable to say anything else. He was deeply smitten and couldn't control the trance.

Hao took a few steps forward, increasing Mei's uneasiness, and ran his fingers through the boy's hair. He stared at Hana with longing eyes and smiled, and Mei swallowed hard from the strange gesture.

"Are you tired?" he asked. "I'm sure you've traveled a long way."

"Yeah...a little bit."

When he focused his gaze toward Mei, she gulped hesitantly and bowed.

"Mr. Asakura," she said nervously, "...it is an honor to meet you. My name is—"

"Mei," he interrupted calmly. "I'm pleased you were able to accompany Hana."

"Mr. Asakura..."

"Why don't you just call me Hao?"

"How do you know my name...Hao?"

"I know a great deal about you, Mei."

She blushed from the statement but seemed irritated that she couldn't control the embarrassment.

"You're very beautiful," he added softly. "Just like your mother."

Mei stared at him with a shocked expression. He knew her mother; she was sure of it. But, now she was facing an issue she hadn't prepared for: fear. She couldn't gather her thoughts standing this close to him. Hao's presence was greatly distracting, overwhelming and intimidating. She couldn't regain her composure, and this angered her.

It was almost as if he cast a spell on her, and she had no will to escape.

Hao glanced briefly at the wall that had been where they entered then re-focused his gaze on Hana. Mei swallowed again and inhaled in an attempt to regulate her breathing but to no avail. Hana's eyelids grew heavy suddenly as if he was falling into a coma, but he reopened his eyes when the stone door disappeared into the ceiling again.

Mei turned around quickly to see the entrance, and Hana rubbed his eyes slowly to follow.

"You called for me?"

The woman was standing outside of the room as if forbidden to enter. Her sapphire eyes blazed through them as she directed her blank gaze at Hao. The blue strands of her hair fell slightly into her face and down her back. She wore a short black dress with a hem reaching mid thigh, and her lips revealed a slight scowl. Mei recognized the woman immediately, but Hana seemed confused about her identity.

"Pirika," Hao replied, "I want you to show Mei her room and allow her to meet our accomplices."

"Yes, Master." Her tone was nearly bitter. She motioned for Mei to come with her.

Mei walked out of the room for some compulsion she couldn't seem to control, and the stone door closed swiftly upon her exit. Hana rubbed his eyes again and yawned, and Hao smiled at him.

"I'll let you get some rest," he said warmly, "then we can talk."

"Okay...sorry."

"Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry for." He rubbed his head briefly then wrapped his arm around his shoulders, pulling the boy close to his chest.

Hana wrapped his arms around his waist and embraced the man warmly. He didn't understand this emotion fully, but he knew he didn't want to let him go. Hao slowly rubbed his back and whispered something in his ear he didn't notice.

"I'll never let you go."

Mei's fatigue began to wear quickly on her small frame as she struggled to keep up with the blue haired woman. Her pace revealed what resembled irritation, but Mei suddenly decided she had nothing to lose.

"Do you know my father?" she asked. "His name is Tao Ren."

"I know him." She didn't elaborate.

"What about Horo?"

"My brother."

She didn't elaborate on her answers, which was greatly disappointing. But, Mei was never one to be deterred.

"Were you friends with my father?" She tried to sound as innocent as possible and seemed surprised when Pirika slowed her pace.

"A long time ago," she sighed. "Before you were born."

"And, you're no longer friends? Why is that?"

"You ask too many questions. Stop it."

Pirika increased her pace, and Mei followed her in silence. She wasn't discouraged but needed time for her to warm up. When the woman abruptly stopped her pace, however, she stared at her with a confused frown.

"Look, Mei," she said without turning around, "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave this place."

"What?" She seemed surprised by the statement and nervously scratched her neck.

Pirika turned around slowly and briefly closed her eyes. "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but it's not right. You should know what's happening."

"Know...what?" Mei was frightened; she couldn't conceal the fear in her voice, and Pirika's tone didn't help.

"Mei, they're—" She stopped her sentence abruptly and took a step back.

"That's enough, Pirika," A tall man with a strange German accent said suddenly. "I'll take her from here."

Mei turned around very slowly. His voice was frightening, and she knew his appearance would be worse. He was much taller than Hao had been, and his short blond hair tapered tightly against his neck. A long, white lab coat covered most of his outfit, but she had no desire to stare at him anyway.

"Faust," Pirika said defiantly. "This is unnecessary."

Mei lowered her head and stared at her feet. She was uncomfortable and couldn't seem to handle the emotion.

"I must insist. Matilda has requested your presence in the great room."

"I can meet with her after I take Mei to her room," she sighed. "I'm bringing her down there anyway."

"Sis, she needs to go with Faust."

Pirika didn't notice her brother in the hallway until he was standing behind her. She turned to him and frowned.

"...What?"

"We'll be back soon," Faust said abruptly. "Let's go, Ms. Tao."

Mei followed him reluctantly down the hallway and turned around briefly to stare at the woman she was leaving. Her eyes were weakened and filled with tears, but Pirika turned away from her. She couldn't stand it and was now angry.

"What are you doing, Horo?" She hit him hard in the arm.

"I told you to stay out of it," he sighed. "It's out of our hands."

"It's not right. You know it's not right!"

"Pirika, you need to be more careful. You're going to get yourself killed."

"Do you really not see what they're doing?" She clenched her teeth. "Why do you think she's here?"

"I said it's out of our hands." He looked nervously down the hallway. "We shouldn't talk about this here anyway."

He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her. She followed a few steps but abruptly pulled away from him and punched him in the arm.

"I won't accept this, Horo," she said angrily, "and, you shouldn't either."

"What are you going to do, Sis?" he asked with irritation. "What can you...possibly do?"

"I'll get her out of here," she whispered. "Or die trying."

"Pirika..."

"She's a child, Horo." Her voice quickly softened. "This isn't her fight. It's not fair. You know it's not fair."

"I don't think you get this. Hana is here now. You know what that means."

"He's not ready. Hao will need more time with him. That gives me a window."

"Hao will kill you," he said sadly. "You know that."

"What other choice do I have, Horo? I can't let them do this to her."

He briefly closed his eyes and held his hand over his face. She stepped closer and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You know I can't let you die," he said sternly. "You know you're forcing me to help you."

"I know. That's why I love you."