Disclaimer: I don't own anything. (Though I wish I do)
Summary:
Have you ever heard of Dark Magic? What do you know about them? Natsuki is a rising star in the Fuka Police Headquarter who solves her case based on logic & facts. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Shizuru. Shizuru lives in a world that can never be defined by logic and facts. What happens when the two meet? ShizNat Rated T for now
A/N
In some Chinese religion, the afterlife is the concept of a realm, in which the an essential part of an individual's identity or consciousness continues to exist after the death of the body. The essential aspect of the individual that lives on after death is the entire soul or spirit, of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity.
It holds that after the death of the body, the soul or spirit should and would go to a specific plane/realm of existence. And in this plane/realm, the spirits would stay and continue their existence.
However, there is a time limit to their existence in the spirit realm. Upon the time limit, there will divine judgement to be passed by a god or gods on the souls' actions during life. After the divine judgement, the individual may be reborn into this world and begin the life cycle over again, likely with no memory of what they have done in the past.
The nature of the reincarnated existence is determined directly by the actions of the individual in the ended life, rather than through the decision of another being. For example, a criminal who committed deadly crime while alive could be sentence to be reincarnated as poultry, waiting to be slaughtered at the slaughterhouse. While someone who has always do good deeds while alive could be reincarnated in a wealthy family in his/her next life, enjoying a fruitful life.
Such rebirths and deaths may take place over and over again continuously until the individual gains entry to the Otherworld.
Joss sticks: are a type of incense. As the name suggests, it is shaped like a stick where you can light up the tip of the stick and it will burn by itself until the lower end where it is made of non-combustible material. In some Asian countries, people traditionally burn joss stick before an Asian religious image, idol, buddha statue, ancestral altar or shrine. But some some joss stick burning rituals (and the prayers that come with it) do not need to be done in front of religious images. They can be burned before anything without limits; like in front of a door, or open window as an offering. In some Chinese tradition, people would offer joss sticks as a form of offering for the deceased to thank them and/or appease them. Scent of the joss stick is said to be a form of food for the deceased as they can only consume by taking in scent from the burning joss sticks. The joss sticks are burnt in odd number - one, three or five - depending on the situation.
Joss paper: is a form of currency use in spirit realm. In the spirit realm, the souls/spirits will continue their existence just like the human world and thus the currency is a form of transaction used by the spirits of the deceased in the afterlife. It is sheets of paper (commonly cream white in color; it may also be red or yellow in color) with red printed words on it. The joss paper is burnt as offerings and such practice is common in traditional Chinese religious. The joss papers are also burned in traditional Chinese funerals, to ensure that the spirit of the deceased has sufficient money in the afterlife.
The scowl on Natsuki's face deepen. Unwillingly, Natsuki stood to attention and said,"My apologies sir! Lt Kugar reporting for duty Sir! "
"Very well Lt Kuga. It is nice to have you back. I hope your short holiday was an enjoyable one.''
At the mention of holiday, Natsuki's face darken. She had planned to spend the two weeks in bliss, completing her PlayStation game, Mai Otome Z, and stuffing herself with mayonnaise.
That was what she had initially planned until her phone started ringing at 8.30am in the morning. She had ignored the phone calls at first but the caller proved to be rather persistent. The incessant phone call had turned into home visit.
"Kuga Natsuki, I know you are in there! So you better open the door or else you will have to buy a new door soon! Kuga Natsuki!" The banging continues.
Nobody beat Tokiha Mai when it comes to persistency. Not even Natsuki.
Natsuki strode to the door and flung it open and Mai came tumbling in.
''Alright, Tokiha what are you doing outside my house? I am currently on leave. So what the hell are you doing disturbing my peace?"
Mai picked herself up, brushing dust off her clothes and replied"Oh come on Natsuki, I have known you for so long and we all know the kind of holiday that you take. You would just hole up in your room, spending the whole day playing with your Playstation and have mayonnaise for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If this is what you call holiday, then you are definitely sick."
"Oh what the hell. Just tell me whatever you came here for so that I can go back to my game."
Mai smirked." Unfortunately for you, you are needed in Fuka HQ and Captain has specifically asked for you. It seems that your holiday has come to an end."
And so Natsuki is here in Fuka HQ per request of the Captain.
"Lt Kuga, you are officially tasked to be in charged of this case." Captain Kaiji said as he pushed a file toward Natsuki. "This case is rather sensitive as it erm...involves one of the influential family in Fuka. So make sure you solve this ASAP. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" Natsuki replied as she took the file from the table.
Just as Natsuki reached her table, Mai came up from behind putting her arm around Natsuki's shoulder. "Hey Natsuki why is Captain looking for you? Is there an urgent case which requires your action?"
"Yup, there is and Captain specifically requests only both you and I to handle this case and no one else. According to him, this is a rather delicate and sensitive case" Natsuki said as she frown into the file. " He said this case involves some family by the name of Viola... Hmm... Viola family, this sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before..." Natsuki continued absently as she flipped through the file. There is very little information about the case. It seems that we have to start from scratch. Natsuki mused.
"You don't know about the Viola Family?" Mai was horrified that Natsuki was clueless about such vital information. "Natsuki, you really need to read up more on the latest news instead of just playing your games."
"Wh...What's wrong with my games! They are good hobby, alright!" Natsuki replied as she looked up from the file. There was a suspicious tint of redness on Natsuki's cheeks.
"Alright, down puppy. Don't get too agitated. Let me tell you this, Viola family is currently led by Kiyotaro Viola and the Viola Corporation under his leadership has flourished, growing even during the 2008 financial crisis and is currently rank the most profitable Corporation by the Fuuka Magazine. The net worth of Viola Corporation is estimated to have reached US$2500 billion dollar. That is enough money to buy a nation!"
"Shit. I really hate dealing with rich people! What is Captain thinking when he puts me in charge of this case! Arghh..."
"Yup you and your dislike for the rich." Mai rolled her eyes and continued. "Viola Kiyaotaro had a son. Unfortunately, a car accident 18 years ago claimed the lives of his son and daughter-in-law, leaving him to take care of his 2 grandsons which he brought up all by himself. These 2 young man are currently the potential successors of the Viola empire. The eldest of them is Viola Reito, a charismatic and charming leader who has won the hearts of women young and old. The second successor is Viola Yuiichi who is a sincere and down to earth man. He has gained the confidence of the elders in the Viola Corporation through his hardwork and determination."
"Yuiichi? Viola Yuiichi? Wait hold on a minute." Natsuki said as she quickly flipped back to the first page. "Hmmm...yup the record shows that he is the one who made this police report this morning."
"He is? This is going to be interesting…"
"What do you know about him?"
"From what I know, Viola Yuiichi is the youngee of the two and he is or rather was the only married man among the two. He was married to his childhood sweetheart Munakata Shiho for 1 year before she died during childbirth."
"How the hell did you get so much information?"
"Ha! I have a friend who is working in Fuuka Publishing House which is why I know so much." Mai said smugly as she thought of her friend Harada Chia. "Well, as least more than someone who always lock herself in her bedroom playing games." Mai teased triggering a scowl from Natsuki.
Putting chit chat aside, Natsuki gestured to the conference room where they could read the confidential file out of possible prying eyes.
In the conference room
"...Having been in a police force for four years, I have seen quite a number of cases but this is the first time I have ever heard of this."
"I couldn't agree with you more Tokiha...couldn't agree with you more..." Natuski muttered after reading the file. "Viola Yuiichi made a police report this morning having discovered that his wife's grave has been disturbed and her corps missing."
"Why would anyone want to steal a corps?" Mai asked as she tilted her head, deep in thoughts.
"My thought exactly. Revenge perhaps?" Natsuki answered and frowned as she flipped through the thin file once again. "There isn't much information here. But our forensic investigators has been to the site so hopefully they can find something useful and maybe shed some lights to this mystery"
"Oh wow, look at what we have!" Mai interrupted. "It seems that Kiyotaro Viola has made a personal phone call to our Police Commissioner this morning, requesting for immediate assistance in this robbery case. No wonder Sakomizu is in such a hurry to solve this case."
Natsuki sighed and stood up. "That means we have to hurry to solve the case Tokiha and I think we have to some leg work to do. Let's go and pay our Viola Yuiichi a visit." Natsuki suggested.
"Kuga Natsuki, I swear this is the last time I am going to sit on your Ducati. Damn it, you are a danger to other other road users!" Mai vowed as she stumbled off the bike. "I always wonder why you have never been stopped by a Traffic Police before and now I know why! It is because nobody DARES to even come close to you!"
"Come on Mai, you are just weak." Natsuki shrugged. She parked her Ducati in an empty parking lot and walked towards a tall building with Mai staggering behind her.
Cold air blew against her face as the glass door to the building slide open to allow Natsuki to enter. A few men in business suit were seen loitering in the lobby. She walked up to the front desk and introduced herself.
"Good afternoon. I am Lt Kuga and this is Lt Tokiha. We are from the Fuuka Police Headquarter and we are here to see Viola Yuiichi-san. Could you inform him of our arrival?" Natsuki took out her badge and showed it to the receptionist.
"Alright Kuga-sama. Please have a seat at the lobby area while I contact Viola-sama now." The young receptionist replied.
Within minutes, the receptionist put down her phone and gave Natsuki and Mai a pleasant smile "Kuga-sama and Mai-sama, Viola-sama would like to invite you to his office on the 21st floor. Please proceed to use the elevator on the left to reach the 21st floor. Thank you and hope you have a nice day ahead."
Natsuki and Mai stepped out of the elevator and were greeted by Yuiichi's secretary who then directed them to him office. The secretary knocked on the door and gestured them to enter.
As they entered, Natsuki did a quick scan of the the room and then focused her attention on the young man standing behind the table.
Viola Yuiichi was dressed in a trendy Gucci black suit consisting of a skinny fit pants and a white long sleeves shirt. The top button of his long sleeves shirt was unbuttoned giving him a formal but casual look. The two button black business jacket accentuated his broad shoulder. His dark blond hair was neatly cropped to give him a smart look.
Yuiichi smiled and walked towards them, stretching out his hand for a handshake. "Good afternoon, ladies. I am Viola Yuiichi. How may I assist you?"
"Good afternoon, Yuiichi-san. I am Lt Kuga and this is Lt Tokiha. We are from the Fuuka Police Headquarter. We understand that you have made a police report this morning and so we would like to find out more from you?"
"I see, please take a seat first." Yuiichi gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk. While the two ladies took their seat, Yuiichi went back to his leather chair, sat down and looked at a photo frame placed on his table. It was a picture of his wife, Munakata Shiho.
He took a minute or two to collect his thoughts. "Today was Shiho's death anniversary and as usual, I would always visit her in the morning on her anniversary. But, when I reached her grave, I saw that her coffin has been dug open and...and her body was gone." His hand tightened into a fist. "Someone must have taken her! Damn it!"
Yuiichi took a deep breath to calm himself. "My apologies ladies."
"It's alright." Natsuki assured. "What time did you reach the cemetery? What did you see upon reach Munakata's grave?"
"I reach the cemetery at around 7am. But when I reached there I saw that her grave was dug open and Shiho was nowhere in sight. There was a also shovel nearby. I even search in the nearby vicinity but I just couldn't find her." Yuiichi's voice broke when he spoke the last statement.
"Did you notice any suspicious character nearby? Were you alone?" Natsuki asked while Mai was busy taking notes.
"Yes, I was alone and I didn't see anyone else around." Yuiichi rubbed his face with his palm trying to erase the fatigue that had plagued him since this morning when he found out that his wife's body had been stolen.
"Thank you Viola-san. Last question. Does the Viola family or Munakata family have any enemies that could have done this?" Natsuki probed further.
This question had Yuiichi pondering for a moment.
"I doubt so. Shiho was the only child. Her parents died in an air crash when she was 20 and she has no other relatives since her parents are also the only child in the family." Yuiichi paused before continuing. "As of Viola family, we run a business and we definitely have many competitors. But to call them enemies, it would be too extreme. I can't think of any."
"I see. Thank you Yuiichi-san." Natuski turned to look at Mai to check if there is any questions she would like to ask but see her shaking her head. "Please do contact us if you recall anything else regarding this case."
"Yes, thank you Yuiichi-san for assisting in our investigation. Do contact us if you recall any other details that would help us in our investigation. Here is my contact number." Mai took out her name card and passed it to Yuiichi.
"No I should be the one to say thank you." Yuiichi replied as he guided Mai and Natsuki to the lift lobby.
As the three of them reached the lift lobby, the lift door opened. A young lady and an old man with a walking stick stepped out of the lift.
"Ara, Oujii-sama, you must be joking. I am still in studying in Garderobe University. It will still be awhile before I graduated. But I promise I will come home more often to have dinner with you. Anyway, you have Reito and Yuiichi nii-sama to accompany you right?" The young lady with her back facing the three of them spoke. There was trace of Kyoto accent in her speech.
"Hmp...The two of them? Forget it." The old man stomped his walk stick. "Reito is always out chasing after some socialite and Yuiichi might as well stay in the office 24/7..."
"Oujii-sama...we have some guest in our midst." Yuiichi interrupted his grandfather's rumbling.
The young lady who was talking to the elder Viola turned around allowing Natsuki to get a complete view of her profile. She looks liked she was in her early twenties dress in a pair of skinny jeans and purple colour blouse. The slightly wavy light brown hair framed a beautiful face. But it was the colour of her eyes that caught Natsuki's attention. They were of a unique colour, red - ruby red. And the beautiful colour eyes were framed by thick eyelashes. But this was not just her look but also the whole package. There was an elegance around her. The way she carries herself and the way she speaks, that give people a sense of elegance and beauty. She was the type that could capture the attention of both men and women alike when she walked down the street, as expected of a rich Oujio-sama Natsuki concluded.
"Ara ara...what do we have here. Two pretty ladies with Yuiichi nii-sama." The young lady spoke up. "So which is my new sister-in-law, Nii-sama?"
"You have not changed much Shizuru. Still like to tease me." Yuiichi stepped forward and gave Shizuru a bear hug. "It has been a while."
"Yes it has been a while." Shizuru returned the hug. The last time they met was one year ago during Shiho's funeral service. Shizuru thought as her eyes strayed to the women behind Yuiichi.
Shizuru's attention was captured by the aloof blue hair lady standing next to the red head. Beautiful but cold, that was Shizuru's conclusion. The redhead was definitely the friendlier one. But Shizuru's eyes still lingered on the ice beauty's face until the emerald eyes meet the ruby colour eyes. Despite being caught staring, Shizuru was unabashed about it.
Shizuru smiled and walked towards the blue hair beauty and introduced herself. "Since my nii-sama is not going to introduce me, I will do the introduction myself. I am Viola Shizuru. Yuiichi's imouto. Please to meet you."
"Kuga, Lt Kuga. And this is Lt Tokiha." Natsuki replied with a nod, with no inclination to say more.
"Ara, Lt Kuga and Lt Tokiha. It is wonderful to meet both of you. But I am wondering which of you would be my future sister-in-law,"
"Shizuru, stop teasing people. Lt Kuga is here to handle a case for me." Yuiichi interrupted breaking up the conversation between Shizuru and Natsuki.
"Ara, a case?" Shizuru asked tilting her head in question. "What happened Nii-sama."
The question removed any happiness that Yuiichi felt upon seeing Shizuru. "Shiho, her grave has been disturbed and robbed. Her body is missing."
"Someone stole Shiho-san's corpse? Ara, Oujii-sama, why didn't you tell me about this?" Shizuru turned towards the elder Viola with a questioning look on her face.
"I know you are busy with your school work which is why I don't want to upset you. I would prefer you to just concentrate on your studies." The older Viola explained. "We will leave the investigation to the experts. Now Shizuru, will you accompany this old man to drink some tea."
"Of course Ouji-sama, you know I have always liked tea."
But before the elder Viola moved off, he turned to Natsuki giving her a grateful smile, "Thank you so much for helping us find the culprit. Thank you. Shiho is a really nice girl. Unfortunately, she died too young. I sincerely hope that you could help our family apprehend the person responsible for causing such pain to my family."
With that, the group bid farewell to each other.
Mai and Natsuki stepped out of the building, both deep in thought.
For Natsuki, it was about the case. It seemed that they had hit a dead end. The interviews with the young Viola yield little information.
As for Mai, her mind was centered around Viola Funji - Chie never told her that the Viola family has a daughter. Mai thought.
But just then, Mai's handphone vibrated. It was a message from her brother Takumi.
"Hey sis, just to let Natsuki-san and you know, we went to the crime scene and got back some items for examination. The results should be out within 1-2 days." Mai showed the message to Natsuki.
"Alright, I guess we will go back to the HQ first and wait for Takumi-kun's report." Natsuki decided, hoping that there will be some evidence that could shed some light into this mystery.
In Fujino Takeda's office
"Shizuru, I know that this maybe difficult for you but could you help me once more?"
"Yuiichi nii-sama, we have been through this several time. We tried it before but Shiho's spirit did not respond to me. There is a high possible chance that she has moved on. Isn't this what we hoped for for Shiho?"
"Yes. But..." Yuiichi argued. "But...it is just that I have a feeling in me that she...her spirit still lingers. I knew it. Please Shizuru, Onii-sama begs you." Yuiichi kneeled down in front of Shizuru.
"Nii-sama!"
"Please Shizuru. Nii-sama begs you."
Shizuru closed her eyes and gave a heavy sigh, giving in to her elder brother's request.
"Thank you Shizuru."
"Don't thank me yet. I can't guarantee that she will respond to my summon. She might as well have reincarnated for all we know. Meet me tonight at 12 midnight at my house for the ceremony."
Date: 30 May 20XX
Time: 00:00
Venue: Shizuru's terrace house
The 3 storey building bought by Shizuru was built at the fringe of the city, surrounded by trees; giving Shizuru her much needed privacy, with the nearest neighbour 2km down the road. And that was the reason why Shizuru like this place so much. She can carry out her rituals without much interference and questions from possible nosy neighbours.
"Like I say in the afternoon, I can't guarantee that Shiho will respond to my summon. So don't your hopes up, Yuiichi Nii-sama." With that, Shizuru turned to her table.
The 1 meter by 1.5 meter table was covered from front to back with a piece of yellow cloth and different items were placed on top of it. Three hard boiled eggs were placed in front of the three burning joss sticks on the table and a white porcelain bowl filled to the brim with glutinous rice were placed on the right side of the table together with a hand bell, a wooden sword and a stack of yellow talisman. On each side of the table, a pair of red candles with ancient carving was set burning on the table - one on the left and the other on the right.
He watched as Shizuru picked up a handful of glutinous rice and threw it across the table, scattering the rice across the table. She then picked up the wooden sword and wielded it around before piercing the sword into the stack of talisman. Using the wooden sword, Shizuru brought one talisman to the candle, allowing the talisman to catch fire.
There was something mesmerising about the way Shizuru wielded the sword. Takeda thought as he watched Shizuru.
As the talisman burnt, Shizuru called out, "North, South, East, West, Guardian of the spirits, hear my command. Bring Munakata Shiho to me. I command you, Guardian of the spirits, bring Munakata Shiho to my presence!"
Silence ensued.
Shizuru grabbed a handful of rice again, throwing it across the table and this time picked up the talisman with her forefinger and middle finger, bring the talisman to the candle, allowing it to catch fire. As the talisman burned, Shizuru threw the paper into the air.
"I command you once again, Guardian of the spirits, bring Munakata Shiho to my presence! Shiho, if you hear my command, come to us! Munakata Shiho, hear my command and appear before me!"
Silence was the only answer to Shizuru's command.
Shizuru sighed as she put down her wooden sword. "Yuuichi Nii-sama, Shiho is not responding to my summon. She might have..."
Before Shizuru could complete her sentence, a strong gush of wind blew by, forcing Shizuru and Yuiichi to shield their eyes from strength of the wind.
As the wind died down, a faint appearance of what appeared to be human manifested itself in front of the table.
A young lady in white appeared before the faint appearance slowly came into focused.
Shizuru raised a brow in slight surprise when she saw Shiho. Not that she doubt her ability but she never expected Shiho to respond.
"Shiho! Shiho, is that you?" Yuiichi rushed forward trying to embrace the lady but failed as his hands simply slipped through her. Yuiichi turned to Shizuru for help.
"You won't be able touched her. She is a spirit now but you can talk to her. She can hear you. But be quick. She won't be able to maintain her appearance for long." Shizuru explained. "The joss sticks were burning fast now. She will disappear once the joss sticks finish burning."
Yuiichi nodded and turned towards Shiho, his eyes slowly filled with tears. "Shiho, Shiho...I...I really miss you, Shiho. How are you? Do you miss me, Shiho? I do miss you, you know. God, how I really miss you." Tears trickled down his face.
"Onii-chan...Onii-chan, don't cry. Don't cry. My Onii-chan should be happy." Shiho raised her arms and attempted to wipe away the tears on Yuiichi's face. But the tears fell through her hands. "I do. I really do miss you lots."
"Remember how you promise to be with me forever and always, Onii-chan?" Shiho asked as her hands hovered around Yuiichi's face, trying to caress him.
"Yes, yes. I remember Shiho."
"But I am dead now. You can't be with me now." Shiho stared longingly at Yuiichi, her fingers trying to caress his face. "You can't be with me now but you can DIE!" Just as immediately, Shiho's face contorted in anger and she tightened her fingers around Yuiichi's neck. "Die Onii-chan! Die so that you can be with me!"
Shiho's white dress bled a bloody red and the aura surrounding her turned dark and deadly. Her hairband loosen and her pink hair fell into disarray. There was a crazed look on her face.
Yuiichi whimpered in pain as her nails lengthen and pierced into his neck.
"Nii-sama!" Immediately Shizuru took her sword and directed it towards Shiho.
"NO Shizuru! Don't hurt her!" The command stopped Shizuru in mid-step.
"Kanina Shiho. It might hurt a bit." Shizuru thrust the sword into the ground and pointed her fore and middle fingers at Shiho. "Kiyohime lend me your power. Assault!" red beam of light shot out from her fingers towards Shiho.
"Ahhh..." Shiho screamed in pain. Despite writhing in pain, Shiho stubbornly maintained her grip on Yuiichi's neck.
"Shi...Shiho...let...let go Shiho.."
"Munakata Shiho! Let go of Yuiichi Nii-sama NOW!"
"N...no...Shi..." It was getting harder for Yuiichi to breathe as he struggled to loosen Shiho's grip on him. "I lov...ve.. you. Let... go..."
"Viola, Viola Yuiichi! Die! Viola die! Die with me!"
"Stubborn ghost! Kiyohime! Lend me your power. Assault!" A red beam of light, this time a darker shade, shot towards Shiho.
A piercing scream and Shiho loosen her grip on Yuiichi as she was flung to the far end of the rooftop.
Yuiichi collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath.
Seeing Shiho was writhing in pain, Yuiichi struggled to stand up and walk towards her. "Shiho, are you ok?"
"Get the hell away from me Viola! I will kill you soon!" Shiho shot Yuiichi a vicious look, stopping him in his path and she stepped off the roof, fading into the thin air.
"Shiho!" Yuiichi attempted to follow. But Shizuru held him back.
Feeling helpless, Yuiichi turned to Shizuru. "Oh god, Shizuru, what happen? Why did Shiho become like this? Help me Shizuru."
"Let's go in first and I will explain everything to you." Shizuru ushered Yuiichi into the house, not before looking at the direction which Shiho had disappeared to earlier on.
Yuiichi sat on the couch in a daze. Everything happened too fast for him to comprehend.
His Shiho, his sweet Shiho...what happened to her?
"Shizuru.." Yuiichi turned to Shizuru, a plea in his eyes. "What happen to Shiho? Did some...something happened to her to cause her to react in this manner?" The idea that something bad might have happened to Shiho sent Yuiichi into a panic.
"Calm down Nii-sama. I will treat your wound first and then explain everything to you."
"Wound?" Yuiichiii wondered as he looked at his arms and legs. "There are no cuts on my body."
"Look into the mirror. Did you see black imprints around your neck?" Shizuru passed Yuiichi a small mirror.
"Shiho did this?"
"Yes. Shiho is a spirits now and surrounding her is the negative energy call the Yin energy. All spirits have strong Yin energy. But living things like human tends to have stronger positive energy call Yang energy. So when she touched you earlier on, she left behind the black imprints on your neck."
Shizuru took out a small paper pack and hand it over to Yuiichi. "Here take this pack. It contains a powder that could remove the Yin residual in your body. Apply the powder onto your neck for 7 consecutive days, 3 hours per day. No one day should you miss applying it. And keep this with you too." Shizuru handed Yuiichi a triangular piece of yellow folded paper. "It is a talisman that will help with your recovery. Do not let it leave your side."
"I see…Thanks Shizuru." Yuiichi paused before continuing. "But what about Shiho? What happened to her? Can you help her, Shizuru?"
Shizuru gave Yuiichi an assuring smile and patted his hand. "Not to worry Nii-sama. Shiho is a spirit. She could have just gathered too much Yin energy leading to such behaviour. I'll have to just disperse the heavy aura surrounding her for her to return to normal. And I know what you want to ask me next." Shizuru smile. "Don't worry, Shiho would not be hurt in the process."
"I...I am sorry...I don't mean that you would hurt Shiho." Yuiichi scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
Shizuru let out a chuckle.
"Thank you so much Shizuru. I won't know what to do without you." Yuiichi gave Shizuru a grateful smile.
"You are my brother after all, Yuiichi Nii-sama. And it is quite late now. Why don't you stay in my guest room for tonight." Shizuru looked at the timing and tried to usher Yuiichi towards the guest room.
Shizuru watched as Yuiichi walked in the direction of the guest room. "Ara, it seems that things are more complex than I thought ne..."
Omake:
A young lady wearing white appeared as the faint appearance came into focused.
"Shiho! Shiho, is that you?" Yuiichi rushed forward trying to embrace the lady but failed as Shiho side stepped away from Yuiichi.
"Go away you stupid ass." Shiho hissed in disdain and turned to Shizuru with puppy eyes.
"Shizuru-Chan!" Shiho squealed and ran towards Shizuru hugging her arms. "I missed you so so much! Why did you not summon me?"
"See, Yuiichi Nii-sama." Shizuru turned and said helplessly to a speechless Yuiichi. "We should not have summoned her. Next time, find someone else to help you. I don't want my Natsuki to be angry with me."
I won't be able to crawl into her bed tonight if she knew some wild woman touched me.