You and Me

by Schimelos

Madame Vastra and Jenny have known each other for six years. While working on a case that takes them to Japan, the pair reminisce of how they met, their early days together, and their first case. They can both see where this is going, but neither appear to be brave enough to take the leap. Just a story of how these two got together. Disclaimer: I own none of these characters

10. Secrets

Chapter 10

1886 – Tanaka Inn

Vastra's POV

"What do you mean 'she ran off?" I asked, licking my lips as I felt my anger boil. I resisted the urge to hiss and instead I stood abruptly to begin pacing about the room. Ito stood before me with his hands behind his back and his head bowed slightly. I flicked my tongue and even through the veil, I could smell his fear. And, he should be! I trusted this ape. Trusted it with Jenny. And, what does it do? It loses her!

I paused, taking a deep breath. He lost her, I mentally corrected myself. This man lost Jenny.

"She asked if I knew this man that had caught her eye," Ito explained, carefully. "When he left, she said for me to stay and she left to follow."

The anger began to rise again before I could stop myself. "And you didn't go with her? She tells you to stay and you remain like a dog would?" I scoffed at that.

"She," he began, but faltered when he could not think of a response. "I waited an hour, but she never returned."

The urge to hiss returned and this time, I couldn't suppress it. The two Tanakas stood at the doorway, watching our exchange in silence and uncertainty. Ito turned to convey to them in Japanese what had transpired. Unable to remain in one spot, I brushed past all three of them and headed straight for my room. As soon as the door was closed, I tore the veil away and began to rip away my dress. I reached instead for my simple brown skirt that I normally wore for our nightly scouting. I pulled my white blouse over my head and began to button up my vest.

As the anger began to vanish, I felt a steady rise of panic within me.

Jenny... my foolish Jenny.

I had to constantly remind my in these six years that despite her mature demure and how intelligent she was, Jenny was still very much a child. Sometimes, being reckless and acting on impulses was beyond her control. I had learnt this early on when it had almost costed her a hand.

How was I to find her? In this strange country where everything is so unfamiliar. I would be lucky to find one person whom knows the English language. Perhaps by scent, I decided as I put my boots on. It was my best hope. I thought back to the night I had first taken in her scent. The smell of dry leaves and honeydew. I had saved her life twice at that point and something told me she would need my assistance again. That I would need a way to find her if that day came. And, strangely, I wanted to protect her.

I could still remember the small gasp that she was barely able to contain when my tongue found the skin of her palm. There was a faint smell I couldn't place at the time and it hadn't been until we began living at Paternoster did I come to find that it had been arousal. I had thought by knowing her smell, I would be able to find her easier through the smog and filth of London.

"Should you ever be in trouble," I had told her when my tongue was safely back in the walls of my mouth. "I should be able to find you easier now that I have your taste on my tongue."

It had been a good thing that I had done it. On more than one occasion in London, especially in the beginning, I had to rely on my sense of smell to find her. Now, in Japan, where there were no horses, or smell of human sweat... the air was cleaner here and there was more space... now in Japan, I hoped this would lead me to her.

"Where are you going to go?" Ito asked when I had emerged from my room.

"Where do you think? To find her!"

"You wouldn't even know where to begin," he began his attempts to reason with me. "At least wait until morning. We can gather a search party."

I paused when I came to the front door. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Anger will not solve this. It would only lead to a mistake, I told myself. He did have a point. For all I know, I could be walking into a trap.

I could feel my heart break as it began to pound in my chest.

Where did she go?

Is she alright?

Will... will I ever see her again?

Suddenly, I was filled with regret. All the things I had wanted to tell her... why hadn't I told her?

I stopped. Tell her? Tell her what exactly?

That she was the best thing to have happened to me since waking into this new era.

That she is wonderful, brilliant, and good hearted.

That I could never remember ever feeling this way about anyone. Not even towards one of my own kind.

My throat went dry.

"The man she went after," Ito began. "I don't believe he is from this village. He could be a traveller just passing through."

I turned to regard him. I was frustrated, angry, and above all else... afraid. I wasn't used to such a thing. I opened my mouth to respond when the door slide open behind me. The sight before me nearly knocked me over. Jenny stood in the doorway, covered in mud, and with a wary smile on her face.

"Good evening, Ma'am, Ito-san," she said in a low voice.

Relief washed over me instantly, but in the same moment, it began anger. "Where the devil have you been?!" I demanded to know, balling my fists at my sides.

Jenny looked away, somewhat shamefully and then began to remove her shoes. "I followed a fellow," she explained, nonchalant. Her head tilted slightly to regard Ito. "I believe I may have ruined this kimono. I will do my best to clean it in the morning."

"I'm sure it will be okay," he told her.

My head snapped from Jenny to him. "You followed a fellow?" I repeated, regaining her attention. I licked my lips, trying desperately to hold in my anger. "You were to observe only. Not follow anyone."

An odd look crossed Jenny's face. With a shake of her head, she brushed past me. "I think I am in need of a wash."

I trailed after her, leaving Ito behind. "Jenny."

She didn't respond nor did she look at me as she headed towards our room. I followed and closed the door behind me. I closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure. When I found myself calm, I opened them to find Jenny at the chest that held her cloths. She glanced at me as she grabbed her night gown and robe. "Jenny," I began again. "You cannot... you can never do such a thing again."

There are times, much like this one, where I forget how easily Jenny Flint can be provoked. I watched as the simple signs I had come to recognized take form. The two furry lines above her eyes came downward. Those beautiful red lips pursed together in a thing line. Those brown eyes stared back at me full of anger.

"I am not a child," she retorted, evenly. "I can look after meself."

I honestly was not entirely sure what had come over me, but I had put myself through hell in the last hour. Part of me resented her for that. "That is not the point," I told her, roughly as I began to shed my outfit.

She looked away to give me privacy. "Then what is the bloody point, Madame? I saw no other option. I 'ad not gone there thinkin' I'd go off followin' some bloke."

I pulled on my nightgown. "You should have sent Ito for me. You should have waited."

Having sensed I had finished dressing, she turned her icy stare back at me. "I can manage on me own, Madame. I had managed."

"Is this about the attack? Jenny, you need not prove yourself," I reminded her.

Jenny glared at me. "I ain't tryin' to," she said in almost a growl. Another sign, I realized. The girl slips back into her natural accent when her emotions run high.

I closed my eyes, regretting my chide. I knelt beside her and my anger began to subside. I looked over my companion and suddenly, all the things I had wanted to say to her only ten minutes ago... all the things I had scolded myself for not saying, failed to come forth. I cursed my cowardice. Perhaps annoyed with my silence, Jenny scoffed and disappeared behind the screen. There was silence as I hear the sound of her removing ties and clothes. Finally, the curiosity got the better of me. "So... did your little excursion turn up anything of value?" I wanted to berate myself for using such childish sarcasm, however I was still cross at her carelessness.

She didn't answer me immediately. For a moment, I thought she was purposely giving me the silent treatment in retaliation to my outburst. Finally, she reemerged from behind the screen, donned in her robe. A trouble look was on her face. "The man I followed was just some random bloke," she said, but then held her hand up when I opened my mouth. "But where'd I see him was another matter."

"How so?"

"I encountered him before," she began to explain as she placed the muddy cloths in a pile. "I had forgotten since bein' attacked and all that. On our way to the Watanabe house. I stopped followin' you for a moment," she paused and I gave a nod, remembering how distracted she had become. "A man bumped into me. He hadn't apologized and kept walkin' off. He went to a building that looked very different from the rest." She stopped and looked up from her folding.

"And, what is it?" I urged her on.

"A dojo," she answered and began to explain. "A teaching school where people learn to fight. But, the older folk gather there often. To reminisce, drink, and to gamble."

I had a feeling I knew where this was going. "And... whom facilitates such activities?"

"Tanaka Masato," she said with a smug smile.

Yet again, I was reminded how I shouldn't be so rash to think Jenny's gambles would come up fruitless. And, yet again, she makes no attempt at modesty. "And, how did you come about this information?"

She smiled and began to walk past me towards the door. "How do I always find out such things?" she asked me. "I talk to the people that aren't seen, but hear everythin'."

"Yes, but in this country? However did you find someone whom spoke English?" I asked her in astonishment.

There was that smug smile again. That cocky way of hers that made her seem so childish but still brought shivers up and down my spine. "I have my ways, Ma'am," she replied before disappearing behind the door.

My mind was reeling. But, the sudden relief at Jenny's safety and the anger I felt at her was being brushed aside. Tanaka Masato would be the only lead we had in finding what had happened to these girls. And, now we knew where we could find him. And with that, I began to stare at the wall of pictures and names.

It wasn't for several hours that Jenny returned. Having to boil the water and prepare the bath herself, had taken quite a bit of time. Worth it, she told me when she closed the door behind her. "How did you manage to get all muddy?" I asked her, realizing she had never quite gotten to that part.

She sat on her futon. "Well, I followed the gent for a few miles. Probably only twenty minutes worth. He went out beyond the village," she explained and I bit my lip in an attempt to avoid scolding her for leaving town. "With it bein' so dark, I couldn't see properly. I tripped on some underbrush and fell into the mud. I must have looked a sight," she chuckled and her cheeks turned red.

I didn't share her amusement. "Where do you think he was heading?"

She shrugged. "Ito thought perhaps he were just passin' through. It weren't till I was on my way back that I remembered where I saw 'im." She gave a yawn and began to tuck herself in. "Not bad for a night's work."

I shook my head, still unable to admit her triumph. Something about her story didn't sit well with me. But the exhaustion from both worry and stress made it impossible for me to think too much on it. "My dear, there has never been a dull moment with you around."

She laid down, moving to face the other way and in a dry voice said,"Aye, Ma'am. The same could be said of you."

We ate breakfast in silence the next morning. I took a seat across the table from Jenny. Her face was bowed and she refused to look in my direction. She was still cross with me. Ito sat on the other end of the table, occasionally looking from me to Jenny. The male Tanaka was present, keeping mostly to himself and speaking only to Ito in their native tongue.

I was beginning to feel a little apprehensive about the Tanakas. Ito had given them some odd story or other about my 'skin condition'. Thus, I was able to roam freely in the house without a veil. They appeared to either not care or too polite to show any concern. They seemed to lack concern about many things, I realized. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I noticed only that they seemed to engage us only when Ito approached him. Never had I been asked the progress of the case. Perhaps it's because so very little time has passed, I thought to myself. Granted, we've only been here for nearly three weeks. Though, they lack interest. I would have to ask Jenny if this was a normal stage of grief that humans pass through.

It was awkward between Jenny and I that morning. She had barely said a word when we awoke. For months now she had kept a firm distance between us. Now I felt it more than ever.

"Tanaka-san is very surprised to hear that his brother would be in town," Ito commented as one of the house maids came to clear the table. The male Tanaka had take his leave just before.

"It don't mean he is," Jenny said, before I could respond. She gave me a dark look as she spoke. "The word is that he is runnin' these gamblin' nights. Don't mean he's here participating'."

"Miss Flint is correct," I interjected, hoping that taking her side would nullify her somehow. She hadn't even glanced my way. "He could be letting another operate these activities."

"I did retrieve those scrolls for you," Ito told me. "They are a recount from an aunt of Tanaka-san. Mostly letters and small diary entries."

I nodded in agreement."Our first course of action would be to keep an eye on this 'dojo'."

Jenny made a face. This was her least favorite activity. "Aye, it pains me to say, but I must agree with you."

"We shall go armed," I told her, sternly. "We have no idea where these Ninjas could be. I would like to remain on the cautious side." Both nodded and with that I decided to retire to my room. "Ito-san, if you could be so kind as to bring the scrolls to my chambers," I told Ito, who gave me a nod and replied that he would bring them as soon as he finished his tea. Jenny barely looked at me and with a sigh, I left the two.

"Miss Flint, I do not wish to intrude, however is everything well between you and Madame Vastra?" I could hear Ito's voice ask as soon as I was out of the room. I stopped.

"Oh, don't fret," Jenny assured him. She sounded exhausted. "We just had a misunderstandin' is all." There was a pause. "Madame often forgets I am not a child no more. She ought to trust my judgement."

I pursed my lips, then Ito replied, "Oh, I'm sure she was just worried about you is all."

There was a long pause and I could almost imagine Jenny's pursed lips as she tried to not let on how frustrated she really was. A look I often times got myself. "I know," she finally responded with a heavy sigh. It sounded almost like defeat. "Still... be nice to be treated like an adult."

I felt an ache in my chest when I heard the tone she used. She was right, I realized. I had treated her much like a hatchling. Hell, my kind give our young more credit than I had given her last night. I have been underestimating her ever since that night so long ago. That night when I had bandaged up her hand. I was in awe at her bravery, but felt her rather reckless. And, since that night, I have viewed her as weak and in need of protection. Now that little girl was this woman. I continued on, heading straight for my room with my heart feeling rather heavy as it sat in my chest. I have taught her everything that I knew. She doesn't need my protection any longer.

1886 - Tanaka Inn, a few moments later...

Jenny's POV

I put my teacup back down, feelin' so very exhausted. Rubbing my temples with my fingers, I looked back up at Ito. "Suppose we caused quite the ruckus," I commented, offerin' my apologies.

He waved a hand in front of him. "No need for apologies. It is you both who are doing a favor for us."

"All the same, it weren't fair to you and Tanaka-san," I told him. "Or his wife."

He gave a shrug, obviously not entirely concerned with our behavior. "I hope that things between the pair of you will not sour because of us."

I blinked at that. "Oh, believe me... last night was very tame compared to our past... disagreements." If he only knew, I thought to myself. Madame and I bump heads often enough. It comes with livin' together and workin' together. Perhaps I needed a vacation, I decided. To get away so I can sort my thoughts through. I almost scoffed at that. No doubt the Yard is havin' a grand ol' time without us. A stack of cases would surely await our return. I rubbed my eyes with my finger and thumb, feelin' more exhausted at the thought. Then, I grew more serious. "The man I followed," I began, uncertainly. "Are you certain that you hadn't known him?"

He was surprised by my question. "I thought you said he was just a random man."

I had told Madame that, but the realty was... I wasn't sure. She had angered me so, I had decided to not explain what had happened in fear that it would only anger her further. We were in the middle of a case. There wasn't time for that. "I hadn't wanted Madame to worry after me more than she had," I explained carefully, then hesitantly began to explain.

The air was cooler when I left the tea house. And, it began to sprinkle, more of a mist than droplets. I walked on at a steady pace, watching the man. He was goin' south, lookin' about from left to right and walking with purpose. I stayed as far back as I could but close enough so I could see if he made a turn. The streets were still alive with patrons going in and out of teahouses and other restaurants. Some shops were beginnin' the early stages of closin'.

"I followed him for a long while," I told Ito. "That part was true. But, then, he made a turn and I thought he had gone down another street."

He hadn't. When I rounded the corner, I felt a strong hand grip my arm and yank me to the side. I felt the wall at my back and a large hand wrapped around my throat and the other at my mouth. I mentally cursed myself. Madame would never put herself in such a position.

"You been following me," the man spoke into my ear, harshly. His speech was heavily accented. He dropped his hand from my mouth slightly.

"You speak English?" I asked, rather stupidly. It was the first thing that came to mind.

"Why are you following me!" he asked, urgently.

With a sigh, I brought moved my arm up over my head and turned my body slightly to the left. As I did, I brought my arm down in a quick motion, takin' the man off guard. The movement caused his hand to loosen and it was enough for me to pull away. I turned in a circle, moving around the man and grabbin' one of his arms in the process. It took me years to master escapin' such a situation and I mentally thanked Madame for all the brutal trainin' sessions. The man was in shock and I pushed him against the wall and brought my knife out of my robe in the process. He was calmer when he felt the steel against his throat.

"Now then," I said in a calm tone. "Didn't your mum teach you how to treat a lady? Best not be so grabby next time, eh?"

He cursed in Japanese and I was sure the things he were sayin' weren't at all kind. I chuckled. "What do you want?" he asked after several moments.

Well, I hadn't thought this far in advance. I had only meant to follow him. I considered his question for a moment. "You go to that teahouse often?"

He almost growled. "Why do you want to know?"

"Just answer it!" I placed a little more pressure against his neck. Funny. Only just the other day, I had been in a similar situation... only in reverse.

"I'm looking for someone," he explained in a rush.

"Who?"

"Does it matter?"

I took a deep breath. Can't let my anger cloud me. Madame was always goin' on about that lark. Somethin' to do with makin' mistakes easier. Or faster. I couldn't remember exactly at that moment. Then I felt calmer, I pressed on. "What do you know of Tanaka Mariko?"

"Masato's girl?" he asked, uncertainly.

I backed away slightly. "Masato? I thought she was Hisao's daughter?"

He looked almost frightened. "I know nothing. Nothing at all."

I sighed. "What about Watanabe? You seen him at the teahouse before?"

He opened his mouth and then closed it. I pressed the knife a little harder and this time, I could feel a few drops of blood hit my hand. Immediately, I eased up. "Yes," he finally admitted. "I was to follow him."

"By whom?"

"The same ones who have the girls," he explained.

"Have? You mean they are still alive?"

He gave me an odd look then and I felt like I was in the middle of a joke that everyone else was laughin' at, but I was still tryin' to comprehend. "Do you know who killed him then?"

I took in a deep breath and looked over at Ito. "What did he tell you?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Everythin' that I told Madame," I explained. "He told me about the dojo and how he used to gamble there. When he got in deep because of it, Tanaka's brother hunted him down. He couldn't pay up, so instead, Masato has him doin' errands. One of which was followin' Watanabe. He'd been doin' it for weeks now."

Ito thought this over and held my gaze for a long moment before lookin' down. "Just follow him?"

I shrugged slightly. "That's what he said. He didn't know anythin' about the paper I found nor of the attack. He was there lookin' for the poor bloke lat night." I sighed and helped myself to another sip of tea. "He were scared. Thought I was one of 'em."

He seemed amused by this. "What? One of the Black Spirits?"

"Or a ninja," I said with a shrug. "He just kept sayin' 'them'."

He rubbed a chin. "Well, one of the Black Spirits would be a little farfetched," he began, but then grew a little more serious. "Though, it is not unheard of for women to become ninjas. So it's not completely out of character for him to think you one of them."

I looked up sharply. "What?"

"It is true that women in this country, just as your own, are not viewed as equals. Many occupations are for men only just as your country," he explained. "However, Ninja run under a different ideology. There are rumors that they employ women as they would men."

"You mean they take the time to train women just as they would men?" I asked with my mouth half way open. "We are talkin' the entire lot. Fightin' and the like?"

He gave a curt nod. "Let's take a moment to consider that ninja work on the element of surprise. Would you be more surprised if a man approached you with a knife... or a woman?"

"Good point," I reasoned, intrigued by the idea.

After a long moment of silence, Ito finished the rest of his tea. "Well, suppose I left your mistress long enough. I should fetch the scrolls. I'd imagine I had an entire day ahead of me translating."

I gave a half smile and watched him go. My mind began to think over the events of the night before. Madame tried my patience far too much. Don't suppose I'd ever been so cross with her. There were many times in the beginnin' of our... partnership, if that's the word, that she sent me into a fit. Like the time we had nearly gotten caught nickin' a few weapons from the British Museum. Or when she made me jump from a hansom cab into a lake. There had been that time I was flung from a window and landed straight into a snow bank. That one she claimed had been an accident. Sure felt like she had pushed me though.

I gave a frustrated sigh and gazed into my empty tea cup. Suppose I had gone a tad overboard. It were rather reckless of me to follow the gent without so much as a word to her. We were suppose to be a team after all.

But that's just it, ain't it? A tiny voice asked me. She don't see you as an equal. Not really.

The thought troubled me. Madame still viewed me as very much a child. I bit my lip. Suppose, I always looked to her as my elder. It was wonderful when I had been young, knowin' that she was always there. That protectiveness she had always had of me was one of the first qualities that drew me to her.

My own kin wanted nothin' to do with me. How wonderful it had been to know there had been at least one person out there who did. Even if that person was a grumpy ol' lizard who hated humans and viewed them as nothin' but monkeys. Still. She had been willin' to go as far as catchin' a knife for me once. I knew since that day that I mustn't ever leave her side.

Yet, I weren't a child now. I don't need her to go catchin' knives. But, she don't think that. How could I possibly tell her how I feel? How am I to even ask about her own feelings? Sadness filled my chest. She don't think me an ape now, but I still ain't an equal. The thought both startled and upset me.

I spent the day washin' the kimono that had been lent to me. As wonderful as it had been of Tanaka-san to offer it, it were rather pleasant to be back in my familiar dress. I set the large tub out in the yard just outside our bedroom door. Ito sat with Madame just at the entrance. The spring air was too much for my lizard companion to stay away from. Ito set out one of the scrolls, took a moment to read over, and then translated it for her. Madame placed a small notebook in front of her and began to take notes.

I knelt in front of the tub and set to work on the fabric. It was an hour before I was content with my work. I felt horrible for messin' it so badly. I hunt it out on the cloths line that was set up on the other side of the yard and looked it over. Not perfect, but the best I could do. I sighed. I will have to make amends somehow, I decided. First the tree. Then, this. My eyes darted over at the poor trunk I had violently attacked.

"How is it comin' along?" I asked when I approached Ito and Madame.

"It appears, that this war was a small rebellion when they began to restrict samurai activity," Madame explained. "The Tanaka family were highly dedicated to that way of life. But in the end, they were subdued."

Ito looked over the next scroll. "It appears to have ended when my father died," he said and his expression grew troubled. "I hadn't the clue since I was so young."

Madame was quiet for along moment. "Did Watanabe have any other family?"

Ito shook his head. "Not that we could find. A cousin over in Tokyo. It doesn't appear that he will travel here for the funeral."

"How awful," I commented. "To lose your wife and then daughter. Then to die with no one to come to the funeral. Perhaps we should go?"

Madame bowed her head in agreement. "How did his wife pass?"

I watched as Ito went through a couple more scrolls. "Not too sure about that. Doesn't seem to be mentioned in any of the letters either."

Frustrated, I looked to Madame. "Can the Tanakas provide this detail to us?" Madame asked him. "And, what of this brother? Why had he been casted out?"

Ito put the scroll down and then picked up another. "Tanaka-san will not speak of it. Not for anything," he told us in a stern voice. "Once a family decides such a thing, it cannot be changed."

"Not even for their daughter's life?" I asked, uncertainly.

He gave me a hard look. "Sometimes, for some people, the honor of the family is more important. To some at least."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. That'd be the way of it, alright. Just as it were with my uncle. "There must be a way to find out," I said with a sigh. Then, I noticed Madame lookin' very hard at one of the scrolls. "Ma'am?"

"Ito-san, was Mariko an only child?" she asked to which Ito answered that she had been. "I had been looking through your Japanese guides," she explained to me, almost sheepishly. "Many characters look so similar, but I'm able to distinguish a few. Hello. Good bye. Good morning. Thank you. Mother and father. Daughter and son." It was here that she took a pause. "And even cousin. Ito-san, please read this passage here."

My eyes went back and forth between the two as she handed him the scroll and pointed. Ito looked at her unsure but began.

"My Dear Niece, how I wish you could be here celebrating with Mariko."

Ito paused, eyes looking back up at Madame.

"I don't understand," I said, looking once more between the two. "Who's the letter to?"

Madame gave out a loud sigh. "Protect the family honor indeed."

"The world seems such an ugly place without you here. The void left behind is felt across the family. Your cousin reminds us everyday of you. Indeed, as she grows, we see more of you. The secret bears a strong burden on us all. No one more than your mother, Sakura. I fear, for her well being. We shall pull through. We will carry it for the good of the family. Love always, your Aunt."

"Who's Sakura?" I asked when Ito took a pause.

"Watanabe's wife," Ito answered me, lookin' even more troubled.

"I don't recall Mariko having any cousins," Madame commented as she placed a hand on her chin. "Do either of you?"

Hell if I knew what they were getting at let alone if the lady had other family members. I shook my head. Ito did the same before sayin', "Tanaka-san's sister was barren and his brother, Masato, lost his wife..." But he trailed off, havin' seemed to put somethin' together while talkin'.

I looked from him to Madame once more. "What? What is it?"

Ito seemed hesitant to answer. Madame tutted. "Mariko is not the Tanakas' daughter," she said at last.

My mouth almost dropped. "How did you come to that?"

"The letter is from Tanaka's sister to her niece," Ito explained. "Mariko is mentioned, so it's not to her. The only niece that I know is Mariko..."

"Mariko was an only child," Madame continued on, seein' my confusion. "Yet, there is talk of this niece having a cousin."

"So, who the hell is the cousin?" I asked.

Ito read over the letter once more. "I believe the cousin she is referring to is Mariko."

"So, the aunt wrote a letter to her niece and mentions Mariko havin' a cousin," I said, finally piecing together the situation. "But, who's child?"

The two gave a shrug.

"Let's take a moment and consider this," Madame began. "The Tanakas do not appear at all concerned by Mariko's well being. At least not in the way we should expect them to. They have provided very little to assist in guiding us. We weren't here to recover the girls or their bodies."

"Then what?" I asked her. Ito looked at Madame, waiting for her response. They seemed to have shared some telepathic message. "Ma'am?"

She licked her lips and she kept her voice low. "The Tanakas are hiding something. A secret that involves Mariko, the bother, and this mystery cousin. And, I would gather Watanabe was involved in some way. We haven't been summon to find these girls or their supposed killers. We're here to keep this dark secret buried."

My throat went dry and I thought back to my encounter from the night before. "Well, that explains it..."

Madame's head perked up. "Explains what?"

Ito looked at me with realization on his face. "That must be why they had Watanabe followed."

"What?" Madame asked.

I bit my lip, about to answer, but instead began reliving the memory.

I had eased the knife enough and that had been a mistake. The man felt my body ease a bit and used it as a chance to escape. He took me off guard as he pushed backwards, knocking me to the ground and into a puddle of mud. I dropped my knife somewhere. There had been no time to consider it as the man went forward. I moved to the side and he followed me with his fist flyin' in the air.

I grabbed hold of his wrist, moving in such a way that I was able to successfully wrap my arm around the taller man's throat. I brought him downwards until he was on his knees. The effort had me breathin' hard and I waited for a few minutes until he was fully subdued.

"One more question," I said between deep breaths. "Back to that part of Mariko's father. You said she was Masato's girl. But, ain't she Hisao's?"

"I can't speak of it!" he said, frantically. "It is not to be spoken of!"

"Why not?"

"I can't!"

He looked absolutely petrified and it brought me to an impasse. His strange comment pulled at me, wantin' to know more. Yet, he was unwilling to provide any more on the subject. I couldn't torture the poor man. "They hadn't told you that Watanabe is dead," I commented and he looked to the side, tryin' to get a peek at me. "Which means, they still want you at that teahouse every night. If you value your life, I suggest you carry on actin' as if you think he's still alive. I would keep returnin' until they contact you."

"And if they don't?" he asked.

"Don't worry," I said in a low voice. "Either they will find you or I will."

And with that, I pushed him to the ground, and while he struggled for breath, I made a turn and ran off before he could get to his feet.

I looked up at Madame at that moment and with a sigh I said, "Madame, there was more to last night that I neglected to tell you."

She looked up at me and her expression was unreadable. "I gathered as much. You weren't being truthful."

I bit my lip, feelin' shamed and alarmed that she could read me so well. "How'd you guess?"

She lifted a brow. "Tripped on underbrush? Please." I looked away. "So, what was it that you learned?"

I took a seat on the edge of the porch, playin' with my fingers. "Mariko is not Hisao's daughter," I began, watchin' as she put down her pen and notepad to regard me with interest. "And, I think I may know who her father actually is."

Author's note

Well, this took me a while and I'm sorry for that. I have been having to take overtime hours at work and I am back in school. Not to mention I have a 2 year old son at home so I really only get an hour a day to myself. By the time he goes to bed, I just sit and stare at a wall, enjoying the silence. I also became very distracted. I am always late on things so I just now got around to reading some books by Sarah Waters. I had heard of her some years ago and always heard good things. I read Tipping the Velvet in two days. I am in the middle of Fingersmith, which I am enjoying very much. And at work I've been listening to that new one The Paying Guests on audio. Yes, how people have ten different TV shows they like to watch, I like to read (listen to?) 5 books at the same time. Anyway, that sort of explains the delay. I got sidetracked.

There was something I really wanted to tackle here was the transition of Vastra leaving the 'employer and teacher' role and viewing Jenny as an equal. I would think this was probably the most difficult phase of their relationship.

I'm trying not to bring in too many names for some of these characters. Mostly because it's hard for me to keep up with who is who. If it gets too confusing... well, join the club because it confuses Vastra as well. :p

So quick recap.

Hisao Tanaka – owner of Tanaka Trading Company, daughter is missing. His wife is unnamed.

Watanabe – his daughter is missing, I don't think he has a first name and he died

Mariko – Hisao's daughter, missing, taken in Feb

Haruka – Watanabe's daughter, one of the missing girls, last to be taken, I think her name got switched to Haruko by mistake halfway through, so I will go back and correct that. LOL

Ito – errand boy for Tanaka, his father was killed and he was basically raised by Hisao.

Masato – Hisao's brother who was kicked out of the family and founded the Black Spirits.

Umiko – one of the four missing girls, taken at the end of Feb

Riku – one of the four missing girls, taken in mid March

Sakura – apparently Watanbe's wife

One last thing, I wanted to thank everyone who has taken time to leave a review and those who have sent messages with their comments and thoughts. I am happy that people are enjoying the story. Thanks! :)