Chapter XIV: Behind Manor Walls
"Are you certain of this, Ririchiyo? I did not mean to force you in returning to the Shirakiin home.." Soushi said as he assisted her out of the Lincoln.
"You did not force me to come, Soushi. I thought it best for us both." She answered, her hand clutching his.
Soushi nodded and closed the passenger door, locking the Lincoln. Ririchiyo smoothed out the wrinkled in her sundress then looked up at her traditional Japanese structure that is the Shirakiin Manor. Ririchiyo's eyes fixated on the front gate, vividly recalling the black wrought-iron design that often greeted her everyday. She was not entirely sure the outcome that would result in this for this visit, but she was hoping it will be a peaceful and reasonable one. Soushi slowly approached the gate, reaching to ring the intercom's doorbell. A merry chime echoed throughout the courtyard, making it blatantly aware of their arrival. Ririchiyo could feel her heartbeat increase, her anxiety beginning to slowly spike. Noticing her distress, Soushi took her hand, his long, gloved fingers intertwining with hers. She looked up at him, feeling her anxiousness fade. It was comforting to know he was there.
"Hello, Shirakiin Residence, Ritsu speaking."
"Yes, this is Soushi Miketsukami. You've been expecting us?"
The intercom cut off, the wrought-iron gate slowly creaking open. Taking a nervous inhalation of air, Ririchiyo took the first step inside the courtyard, Soushi trailing attentively behind her. As they venture towards the front entrance of the Main estate, the front paper panel doors slid open on each side, a tall, thin man with dark wavy hair and pale violet eyes stood in the doorway, wearing a suit that resembled the one Soushi often wore when on duty.
"Welcome home, Lady Ririchiyo." the man said, bowing sharply at the waist.
Her eyes focused on the man in black, raising her chin high and elegantly, clearing her throat. Soushi remained silent, carrying out his secret service position perfectly. Even though he was Ririchiyo's lover and father of their child, a casual relationship was not the most appropriate behavior to display, especially in the presence of his employers.
"Thank you, Ritsu-san." she said, her haughty voice saturating her tone.
"Please come in."
The man bowed once more then stepped to the side, allowing them both to enter the main foyer. Ririchiyo slipped off her shoes, carefully stepping up on the elevated landing. Soushi did the same, taking Ririchiyo gently by the hand, assisting her in regaining her balance. She knew there was no way in hiding her pregnancy and very little interest in hiding the fact. Ritsu stepped before them, ready to lead them through the main house. It was just Ririchiyo remembered. Every room within the house was dark and closed off, maintaining the privacy and secrecy within their walls. Many things have happened within the paper paneled doors of this house, both superficially happy and despairing…Ririchiyo shuddered to reminisce. Soushi gave her hand a gentle, but reassuring squeeze, indicating Ririchiyo of his comforting presence.
"If you would please follow me, Lady Ririchiyo, Miketsukami-san. Lord and Lady Shirakiin are awaiting your arrival in the library." Ritsu said, looking back at them with unreadable eyes.
"Thank you, Ritsu," Ririchiyo said, "Please lead us to them."
He nodded, walking deeper into the Estate. The halls of the Shirakiin Estate was silent, not a single sound to be indicated. Not a whisper of the manor staff or any other activity. She thought this odd, for there was at least the sounds of the kitchen staff would usually be heard as they busily prepared the meals for the residence. But, there was nothing, just incredible unusual silence. Moments later, the three of them stopped at a pair of red silk curtains, the elegant decorum unfit to be included to the rest of the strictly-traditional Japanese home. Ritsu slowly reached out, his glowed hand brushing back the wrinkle-free curtains.
"This way, please."
Towering bookshelves surrounded the perimeter of the room, books upon books stacked on the mahogany shelving. Stain glass lamps scattered throughout the library, dimly lit to a soft orange glow. An ornate Asian rug stretched over the floors, the red, blue and golden patterns bringing a regal ambience to the room. Ririchiyo vaguely called the Library but the one that seemed to very familiar was the long desk made of a dark blond wood with the legs carved into intricate lion's paws. Stacks of paper world cluttered the desktop along with small stacks of books surrounding the desk's perimeter. Ritsu walked past them, taking his place beside the desk, the dark red leather chair turned away from them. Sensing something odd in the room, Ririchiyo looked from left to right, her hand lightly gripping Soushi's sleeve. He remained unfazed, his body erect and focused. Ritsu leaned over the turned chair, appearing to be speaking to the person on the other side.
"What is the meaning of this, Ritsu-san?" Ririchiyo said, keeping her voice filled with outrage and haughtiness, "Where are my parents?"
Ritsu straightened, his hands behind his back and eyes focused.
"I apologize for the deception, but I could not think of another method for an audience with you."
Ririchiyo's blood suddenly ran cold as if a thin layer of ice freezing over her skin. Her fingers clenched Soushi's sleeve tighter, her nails ripping into the fabric. The leather chair rotated, revealing a young, dark-haired woman whose eyes matched the exact shape of Ririchiyo's only instead of a vibrant violet color, she had a deep and decadent chocolate brown, the dim lighting of the candles flickering in the brown pools. The clothing that adorned the girl's long and slender figure was long white pleated skirt, a pair of black spandex leggings and a white buttoned blouse that clung elegantly to her trim and delicate torso. She sat cross-legged in the chair, one elbow leaning lazily on one of the arms while her other arm was laid casually on her lap.
"Chi-Chiharu?" Ririchiyo said, her heart racing like a waterfall, "Is that you?"
Soushi's eyes shifted from Ririchiyo to Chiharu, wondering why his Mistress seemed so dumbstruck by her younger sister's presence. He was aware of the distance that revolved around the Shirakiin household, but the reaction the encounter brought was very unexpected, even to him. The girl shifted in her chair, a cat-like grin stretching across her lips.
"You seem surprised, Big sister. Did you forget you little sister that easily? I will admit, that is a bit disheartening."
"Chiharu, what are you doing here and where are our parents?"
Chiharu entangled her fingers in her long black hair, her expression turning uninterested and bored. Ririchiyo clenched her hands at her sides, feeling the frustration slowly rise within her.
"You know, your questions are beginning to bore me, Big sister. What does it matter? I'm the only one who has business with you," her gaze shifted to Soushi, who stood strict and firm beside Ririchiyo, "And Miketsukami-san."
Ririchiyo unclenched her hands, relaxing the tension throughout her body.
"And what business would that be? I wasn't aware that you had that kind of authority, Chiharu."
Chiharu let out a delighted laugh, then propped her feet onto the glass tabletop, her gazing shifting to Soushi.
"Miketsukami-san, please, there's no need to be so stiff. You are not my subordinate, after all."
Soushi bowed at the waist then straightened, his shoulders relaxed and his posture straight and comfortable.
"Chiharu." Ririchiyo snapped, her voice laced with impatience.
"Very well, very well. The reason I called you both here is precisely as Ritsu has told you. I would like discuss the matter of yours and Miketsukami-san's little "mistake"". " Chiharu said, gesturing to Ririchiyo's stomach.
Ririchiyo reflexively wrapped her arms around her stomach, her eyes glaring into her sister's. Chiharu stood from her chair, slowly approaching Ririchiyo.
"I do not recall wanting to discuss my personal business with you or anyone else of our family, Chiharu."
Chiharu smirked and placed a hand on her older sister's stomach. Sensing uneasiness, Ririchiyo stepped back and away from Chiharu, wanting to cling to Soushi for protection.
"Can't I greet my niece or nephew, Big sister?"
"What is it you want, Chiharu?"
She stepped back, hands folded behind her back, smiling innocently. Ririchiyo watched her sister's sly actions, sensing something was about to take place, something that was going to change her and Soushi's relationship drastically.
"What do I want? Hmm, I wonder what I want, Ririchiyo?"
Ritsu cleared his throat, opening his eyes to glance at Chiharu.
"Lady Chiharu, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but perhaps it not wise to toy with Lady Ririchiyo. It may be a bit distasteful."
Chiharu looked over at Ritsu, her eyes blazing with anger. Sensing his young Mistress's impatience, he straightened once more, his lips tightly clenched in an attempt to remain silent.
"I suppose my little mind games are growing a bit stale, but it is all in good fun. After all, I haven't seen my older sister for four and half years. She's a busy woman and I suspect has very little time to waste with nonsense."
Ririchiyo's gaze did not waver, her eyes still narrowed at her coy younger sister. Uneasiness tightened within the pit of her stomach, her small hands clenching the cotton of her maternity dress. Chiharu sighed heavily, making her way back to her rotating chair, easing back against the soft leather backing.
"Well, my true intention in bringing you and Miketsukami-san here is to discuss the future lives you'll be leading once the child is born. Or rather, what will happen to the child in general."
"What are you talking about, Chiharu? Our future is none of the family's concern. I emancipated from this Estate and wish not to involve them."
"Oh, you must be joking, Big sister," Chiharu said, her voice like a shrill, chiming bell, "Surely you didn't think severing your relationship with us would be so simple, did you? Not when we have Miketsukami-san under the family's payroll, did you?"
Ririchiyo could feel her blood run even colder. She was right. Even though Soushi was now her lover, he was still employed as a Social Service agent hired to keep her safe. Their relationship was surely something of Taboo. Chiharu carelessly curled her dark silky strands between her fingers, her long legs dangling over an arm of the chair.
"Chiharu, where is this leading to? Because, if you are attempting to bait me with such simple methods of manipulation, I will not take so kindly to them. "No, no, nothing like that, Big sister. Such manipulation is below me. I'm simply curious as to what you and Miketsukami-san will do once you begin to care for the child. I'm well aware of your new home Miketsukami has recently purchased, but something seems to pull annoyingly at my mind."
"Oh?" Ririchiyo mused, her hands planted firmly on her hips, "And what would that mean, Chiharu?"
"It means, I'm wondering what power the child will possess once it grows."
Chiharu's eyes shifted to an ever attentive Soushi, whose gaze was directed at the wall behind her, his body stiff and at-attention.
"What are you suggesting, Chiharu?" Ririchiyo said, her mouth tightening into a thin line.
"You are a direct descendant of a Nine-tailed fox, aren't you, Miketsukami-san?"
"Yes, Chiharu-sama." he said, his voice frank and expressionless.
"I see, and from what I am told, you were isolated within the Miketsukami Estate during childhood, were you not?"
Soushi paused momentarily, unsure as to how to answer her invasive question. Ririchiyo looked from Soushi to Chiharu, wondering what her cunning sister was planning. Soushi was never open to speak about his past, knowing it was a very much vacant and lonely existence before having met Ririchiyo.
"Yes." he said.
"I see. You are the Atavist, who strikes fear into the heart of all Atavist descendants. Such a power is an understandable outcast."
Soushi remained silent, not to offer any further information to the young Mistress.
"That's enough, Chiharu," Ririchiyo spat, sudden anger boiling under her skin.
"Imagine if the child possessed the combined power of the White Nine-tailed fox and our family blood, what possible threat it can be to all us Atavists, Ririchiyo."
"That's none of your concern, Chiharu and I will not stand here and be frightened into submitting to your cruel words."
Chiharu's eyes darkened and narrowed at her sister, a twinge of anger flickering in those dark brown spheres.
"Cruel words? Frightening you? I'm merely giving you things to consider once the child is brought into this world. You and Miketsukami-san do not want your child to be put into danger, do you?"
Hearing enough of her sister's biting words, Ririchiyo turned sharply on her heels, storming angrily towards the exit.
"Ririchiyo, wait!" Soushi said as he followed her out of the library.
"What nerve she has, placing herself in our lives like this!" she shouted, slamming her hand against the wall.
Soushi reached out taking her hand from the wall, lacing his fingers with hers.
"There is no need to concern yourself with such details…not quite so soon at least…"
"Soushi, what if Chiharu's right? What if our son is as powerful as she says?"
He brushed a stray black strand from her face, tucking it neatly behind her ear, a gentle smile spreading over his lips.
"Perhaps he will be strong and powerful, but despite this possibility, we have no reason to fret over them now.." he said, placing a hand over her stomach.
"Also…it was shameless of her to pry into your past that way She had no right."
Soushi shook his head, his hands cupping face.
"It quite all right…although my past was a rather hollow and abysmal existence, I am now the most happy I've ever been after having you walk into my life, Ririchiyo."
Tears threatened to fall from Ririchiyo's eyes, feeling large salty drops slip down her pale cheeks. Soushi had been through so much loneliness and pain, that she found herself connecting to him even more now than she had ever been before. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her tear-streaked face into his shoulder, soft and muffled sobs soaking into his suit. Ritsu cleared his throat as he stood in the doorway, his hands folded behind his back, his expression blank and unreadable. Ririchiyo slowly broke away from their embrace, facing him full on.
"Forgive me, but Soushi and I are leaving now, so please give a message for Chiharu, Ritsu-san."
"Yes, Lady Ririchiyo."
"Please inform her that we will not be returning to speak with her or anyone else from the Shirakiin family."
Ritsu hesitated before bowing before them, straightening as he turned back into the library.
"I will deliver your message immediately, Lady Ririchiyo and may you be ever-prosperous in your life."
Ririchiyo gave a quick nod then turned down the hall, heading to the Estate's main exit, Soushi following obediently behind her.