Previously…
Shizuru flipped out her phone and sent a text message: track down the source of ancient spell. Someone from the Fujino Clan leaked the spell.
And within seconds, Mikoto's iphone vibrated signalling a new message had arrived.
"Hai Shizuru-sama…"
"Ouch… Ahh" Natsuki protested as she gingerly laid facedown on the bed with her shirt pulled up to the shoulder. Bruises were forming on her back and legs, as if a playful child had splashed black and blue paints all over her body.
Shizuru poured some ointment onto her hands and warmed it up before rubbing it onto Natsuki's back. Natsuki tightened her grip on bed, anticipating the pain that was to come when Shizuru applied ointment on her back.
"Ouch ouch ouch…" Natsuki winced. "A bit gentler please Shizuru… Less force…"
Natsuki bit onto the pillow as Shizuru rubbed the ointment around Natsuki's back. She was all sore and aching after the 'fight' in the classroom and bruises were forming all over her body.
"Ara... I thought Natsuki was so brave just now, leaping right into midst of action, capturing the head." Shizuru replied as she applied more force onto Natsuki's back.
A dangerous glint in Shizuru's eyes.
"Ouch ouch ouch… I was just doing what I had to do at that point in time and …. Ahhh!" Natsuki screamed as Shizuru pressed down on an extremely dark bruised on her lower back.
"Did you say something Natsuki?" Shizuru asked, smiling dangerously.
"Erm I was saying that I was doing what I can at… AHHHHH!" Another scream escaped from Natsuki's throat.
"Ara… Do you mind repeating it again Natsuki?"
"I was… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Silence.
And then there was silence.
Alright she got the hint.
Natsuki sat up slowly and turned to face Shizuru, wincing slightly at the pain.
Shizuru's face softened for a moment but not before sharpening once again when her eyes caught sight of the bruises on her shoulder, the bruises from the skirmish with the head.
Slow as she may be, Natsuki knew Shizuru wasn't too happy with her. Natsuki coughed and then spoke up, glancing at Shizuru. "Erm… Gomen-ne Shizuru. Did I do something wrong earlier on?" She scratched her head but grimaced in pain as the movement pulled at her much bruised shoulder.
Shizuru's face grew stoney. "Do you know how dangerous it was just now? Had you been any slower, the head would have torn right through you."
"I know it was dangerous. But at that point in time, it was the most effective way I can think of to stop the head."
"But at the risk of your life Natsuki?" Shizuru interrupted.
Natsuki paused for a moment as she stared at her hands, trying to searched for the right words to explain herself. She knew Shizuru was upset with her reckless behaviour and most importantly worried for her safety too. "I am sorry for making you worried Shizuru. I didn't mean to. I was trying to help in whatever way I can. You have done a lot to help with the case and I wanted to do my part in it too. And not to say it was dangerous for you as well!" Natsuki said as she gingerly turned to lay on the bed again. "I couldn't just leave you to handle that thing alone. You may be able to handle the situation earlier on but you can be injured as well. There is no way I am leaving you to face the situation. If I am given a chance to choose, i will still make the same decision and jump into the fray. Gomen-ne Shizuru. Sorry if I made you worried just now."
There was a long pause after that. So long that Natsuki thought Shizuru was not going to continue at all. But just as Natsuki was about to turn back to face Shizuru again, she felt a hand on her back once again. "Don't move." A softly spoken words before Natsuki felt Shizuru's hands rubbing the ointment onto the sore areas, much gentler this time round.
"It is not just any normal dangerous things that you find everyday. It is black magic Natsuki. Black magic. It is created to harm others. It is darker than you know and more deadly than you realize."
"I know. And you have warned me before. But you were there. And I know you have a way to deal with the black magic. I know I would be safe in your hands when I decided to jump right in to help and I trust you… erm Shizuru?" Natsuki called out when she sensed no movement at her back. "Shizuru?" Natsuki attempted to turn around.
"I am here." Shizuru replied as she changed the topic and resumed the rubbing. "I am done applying the ointment. I think you may need to sleep face down tonight. Your back is going to be too sore for u to lie on the back. And leave the shirt as it is. Don't cover your back yet. Let the ointment sink into the skin first." Shizuru gently patted Natsuki's shoulder and stood up. "I will go and wash up. Go ahead and sleep first."
Natsuki opened her mouth to speak again, wanting to continue the earlier conversation before Shizuru abruptly changed the topic. But just as she was about to call out to Shizuru, Natsuki saw her taking her clothes and entered the shower.
Natsuki wanted to stay awake and wait for Shizuru to finish shower, but she could not as today's events took a toll on her body. Natsuki's eyelids fluttered a few times as she struggled to stay awake, before succumbing to her drowsiness.
Twenty minutes later, the door to shower opened and Shizuru stepped out, fresh from the shower. Her eyes immediately fell on the sleeping form on her bed and her eyes softened. She knew Natsuki wanted to continue the earlier conversation and had avoid it by taking longer time than usual to shower today. Natsuki needed sleep to recover.
She gently walked towards the bed and stared at Natsuki's back.
She is definitely going to be sore tomorrow.
Shizuru thought as she gently traced her finger over the outline bruises. The bruises Natsuki suffered from being too kind.
Thank you Nat-su-ki.
As if sensing Shizuru's touch, Natsuki nudged her shoulder before letting out a groan of pain. Shizuru immediately retracted her hand. Natsuki frowned but continued to sleep on.
As if having a mind of its own, Shizuru's hand moved to Natsuki's forehead, and tried to smooth out the frown on Natsuki's face but stopped midway, as if startled.
What am I doing?
"Natsuki…" Shizuru murmured.
Would you still think that you would be safe with me if you really know who I am.
Would you still fight alongside me if you know who I am.
What if I practice black magic too.
A bitter smile on Shizuru's face as she pulled her hand back, turned and exited the hostel.
It was time now to wrap up the case.
Natsuki and Mai returned to Police Headquarter the next day to report their investigation to Captain Kaiji Sakomizu - of course the diluted version without the spells and hovering head. The two of them had discussed earlier and decided on the version of reports they were going to write to their Captain. And immediately a search warrant was issued for Wataru Ishigami's rented home with Mai heading the search team. The police found some tools and clothes with human blood stains on them and the forensic team ran the stains through several tests to identify the blood as belonging to Wataru Ishigami's younger cousin Wataru Kai. This provided enough evidence for the police to detain him for suspected murder of his cousin.
But ever since that incident with Shizuru, Wataru Ishigami and Marguerite Tomoe had gone into hiding. And currently the two of them were in the police wanted list to help with the investigation.
"Hey Natsuki." Mai tapped Natsuki on the shoulder with a file and then wave the file in front of her. "Got some interesting information here. Wataru Ishigami and Marguerite Tomoe are actually related! They are siblings but a car accident killed their parents and the two of them were subsequently sent to the orphanage. But later on the two of them were adopted by different families when they were young, hence explaining the different family names. Hmmm… No wonder they were involved in this black magic together." Mai flipped through her file. "Oh hey by the way, do you want to inform Shizuru about it? She was the one who pointed us in this direction. We need to thank her for her help!"
"Yup… I will." Natsuki replied absently. She would have kept Shizuru updated if Shizuru would reply her messages. Natsuki thought.
Natsuk hadn't been able to contact Shizuru after their short conversation that night. Shizuru wasn't in the room when she woke up. And even on the day when Natsuki moved out of the hostel and resumed her duty as a police officer, Shizuru did not appear to bide farewell to her.
Natsuki was definitely peeved about it. She had no idea what sparked this cold treatment from Shizuru. Furthermore, she had already apologised for her own reckless behaviour that night!
What else does she want!?
"Hey Natsuki… Earth to Natsuki!" Mai waved her hand in front of her. "Are you listening to me? I was asking you a question!"
"Oh sorry." Natsuki apologised. "What were you saying?"
Mai rolled her eyes as she repeated her question. "I was saying, should we invite Shizuru out for dinner? To at least thank her for helping us to close this case. Furthermore.." Mai smirked and elbowed Natsuki. "Shizuru has been taking good care of you then when you were having high fever. She insisted that we should only start looking for Wataru Ishigami only after you recovered. She knows you very well, that you wanted to be involved. But I was surprise that two of you have become so close within a few weeks! It took me months to know you and be friends with you, Ice Princess!" Mai called out Natsuki's nickname.
While in the Police Cadet School, Natsuki was well known for her aloof attitude towards her other cadets, snubbing people who approached her. And because of her attitude, many people dubbed her the Ice Princess.
Natsuki couldn't help but rolled her eyes at Ma. "That name is so outdated Mai. I am not as unfriendly as compared to the past. And Shizuru has been very helpful towards me. She had helped me a lot!"
And hopefully we are still friends. Natsuki thought, when Shizuru had been avoiding her calls and not replying to her text message.
And I am NOT going to text her first unless she starts replying my message!
"Gokigenyou Yukino-sama."
Yukino jumped at the sudden greeting coming from her back. Yukino turned to see Minagi Mikoto standing behind her. She was in her usual attire of a T-shirt and a pair of faint blue jeans. Her katana was placed in a leather tube and tied against her small back.
"Oh Minagi-san. You startled me." Yukino adjusted her spectacles.
"My apologies Yukino-sama." Mikoto gave a 90 degree bow.
"Yiyeah… No no no… It is alright Minagi-san." Yukino moved immediately towards Mikoto trying to stop the formal bow.
"Shizuru-sama is hoping to see you, Yukino-sama." Mikoto explained as she straightened up.
"Shizuru-san?" Yukino's brows furrowed. Seldom would Shizuru pass a message through Minagi Mikoto. Unless it was related to ...
"Hai." Mikoto nodded and gestured towards the path that would lead them to a deserted park in the campus.
"Alright then. Lead the way please, Minagi-san."
Yukino travelled along the path and finally reached a pavilion surrounded by tall cherry blossom trees.
Shizuru was already seated in the pavilion, reading a book and there was steaming tea pot and cups by her side. Peace and tranquility surrounded her and time seemed to have stopped still around her. Occasionally when the wind blew, and Shizuru would raise her right hand, gently brushing away the playful strains of hair tickling her face. Definitely a beautiful picture to behold.
As if sensing someone nearby, Shizuru raised her head from the book and gave Yukino a gentle smile. "Ara ne… Pardon me Yukino, for inviting you here without giving you any notice in advance."
Shizuru tilted her head slightly to the right and smile once again."I was hoping to have a private moment with you. Please do join me and have some tea." Shizuru invited as she poured some tea into a new teacup and placed it in front of Yukino.
There was a moment of silence as the two of them slowly sipped the fragrant tea.
Shizuru gently returned her teacup to the saucer and looked up. "I hope Yukino-san could help me locate someone."
Yukino stiffened.
"The Kikukawa Clan has always been known for being the best soul tracker. And so I would like to request your assistance to track down someone."
In the world of black magic, there is a unique group of people called the soul tracker. The soul trackers were able to locate and track down people within a certain radius using the date and time of birth of the ones who need to be tracked down. And because of this unique ability, the soul trackers were seen as a useful tool to locate and track down people, especially enemies, because the enemies would have nowhere to hide. However nothing is perfect in this world. Because of this unique ability, the soul trackers tend to be physically weak and had no offensive power, unable to practice other form of black magic and this made soul trackers very vulnerable.
And the Kikukawa Clan had alway breed strong soul trackers every generations. And throughout the history, many others had eyed the Kikukawa Clan, hoping to takeover the clan as their own to use it for their purpose. Many of the Kikukawa forefathers had died in their struggle to remain autonomous. They had been threatened and even hunted down for their resistance. But much of the threats to Kikukawa Clan ended when the Fujino Clan emerged as the leading clan in Black Magic in the recent centuries. While the Fujino Clan had not outrightly claimed Kikukawa Clan as part of their own, they had asserted pressure and much influence over the clan, shaping the history of Kikukawa Clan, putting heirs who sided with the Fujino Clan as the leader of Kikukawa Clan. And Kikukawa Yukino's father, who was the current head of the Clan had encouraged Yukino to befriend Shizuru and spent time with her. This would make Yukino's transition into the Clan Head easily with Shizuru's support. Shizuru had much influence over the position of future Clan Head.
"Who do you need me to find?" Yukino finally asked after deliberating for a while
"Wataru Ishigami." Shizuru said as she pushed an envelope containing Ishigami's time and date of birth to Yukino.
"I am only able to locate him if he is within my radar." Kikukawa Yukino explained as she fingered the envelope for a while before opening it and took out a piece of paper.
"Ara… I have absolute trust in Yukino's ability."
Yukino memorised the numbers and closed her eyes, shutting herself off from the surrounding and quietly chanted a spell in her mind. Immediately, numbers, glowing numbers appeared in her mind, gathering in front of her before mashing together into a bright ball and then grew brighter and bigger, brighter and bigger and finally encompassing her whole mind and body.
While Yukino was in her trance, Shizuru gestured to Mikoto, who was currently standing behind Shizuru, to bring forward another new set of teaware. While waiting, Shizuru warmed the new teapot with boiling water before putting in new tea leaves and hot water into it.
Shizuru waited patiently by the side as she took out her book and began reading it.
Twenty minutes later, Yukino opened her eyes, her forest green eyes was now dark and glazed, her face slightly pale.
Shizuru filled Yukino's teacup and returned the teapot to the table with a slight click.
And immediately Yukino's eyes cleared and her attention now refocus on Shizuru.
"That is fast ne. As expected of the future head of Kikukawa Clan." Shizuru commented as she lifted her cup and gently blew at the tea in her hand. "Yukino should also have a drink. This is a new tea I just made and it is good for the body."
Yukino glanced down at the teacup and obediently reached out to bring the hot tea towards her. Just like Shizuru, she blew at the hot tea before sipping it to warm her now cold body. Yukino's eyes widened the moment she took a sip of the tea. This tea was made with very rare herbs that could help build the spiritual capability of Soul Trackers. Even her father did not own one. She never expected Shizuru to have such herbs. She turned and stared at Shizuru.
"Ara Yukino-san doesn't like the tea?" Shizuru raised her eyebrows.
"Yiyeah… No no…" Yukino shook her head. "The tea is very nice and fragrant. I really like it."
"Good to hear that." Shizuru nodded and smiled as she drank her tea.
"Thank you." Yukino could already feel her strength returning gradually. She was definitely grateful to Shizuru for this.
Soul trackers normally exhausted huge amount of energy trying to track down people and this often leave Soul Trackers weak and tired for days. And this put Soul Trackers in a very vulnerable state open to attacks.
"Sunrise Windbloom Street 23. There is an abandon house there and the person you are looking for is hiding there."
"Thank you." Shizuru gave Yukino a nod of appreciation. "I am afraid I may have to leave now. I have some urgent matters which I have to attend to. But please, do stay and enjoy the tea ne Yukino-san. I prepared this tea specially for you" Shizuru requested.
"I have also invited Suzushiro Haruka-san to this tea session. I guess she might be arriving soon." Shizuru explained as she glanced at her handphone, a wicked smile flashed across her face. Haruka was flooding her phone with messages.
Shizuru took her eyes off the phone and immediately refocused her attention on Yukino. But her friendly and gentle demure was immediately replaced by a serious one. Her crimson eyes darken as she stared right into Yukino's eyes. "Ne Yukino-san, it is strange how humans evolve and grow stronger. When in the past, humans were considered preys to other animals but then they grew and evolved and become stronger. They learn how to defend themselves and attack others." Yukino stiffened at Shizuru's words. "And throughout the centuries, the Soul Trackers have always been at a disadvantage with no offensive power. But I guess times change, people evolved and so does Soul Trackers." There was a moment paused as Shizuru stood up and leaned towards Yukino and whispered some words into her ears.
Yukino's eyes widen as her face paled.
Shizuru straightened and gave Yukino a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry Yukino-san. This will stay a secret between you and me. As long as I am alive I will ensure that no danger will befall the Kikukawa Clan." She removed her hands from Yukino's shoulder as she saw Haruka dashing towards them, a scowl on her face.
"Ara… Haruka-san is here ne. I shall have to make a move first. Gokigenyou Yukino-san." Shizuru turned and left via the other route.
Yukino slipped from her chair and fell onto the floor the moment Shizuru left.
How in the world did Shizuru-san know about it! That was the thought filling her mind now. She had not told anyone, not her father nor Haruka, about this newfound offensive ability of hers.
"Mikoto, I will go in alone. You keep a lookout outside. And give Natsuki a call ten minutes after I have entered the house and tell her about this location."
"Hai Shizuru-sama." Mikoto nodded as Shizuru made her way towards the old abandoned house at Sunrise Windbloom Street 23.
But within a few steps, Shizuru paused and without turning, instructed Mikoto, "Call Mai instead."
Mikoto frowned as though puzzled but followed Shizuru's instruction. "Hai Shizuru-sama!"
Shizuru pushed open the door to the old and rundown abandoned house. The house was located at the fringe of the city and looked to have been abandoned by the owners many years ago. Shizuru glanced around. The interior was covered with spider web and thick layer of dust. There were broken pieces of old furnitures lying everywhere.
Shizuru swiped a finger across the dining table and came up with a thick layer of dust on her finger. It looks like the house has been empty for quite a while. Such a good place for hiding.
Then Shizuru wandered around the house before stopping at the middle of the living room and she took out a tube from her bag. It was a thin bamboo contain and there was a talisman sealing the cap.
Shizuru peeled off the seal and open the bamboo tube and bended down to release something out from the tube.
An Amazonian giant centipede creeped out of the tube.
Unlike the traditional large copper colour amazonian giant centipede, this centipede is slightly smaller in size and with an additional greenish hue coating the exoskeleton.
The Amazonian giant centipede crawled in front of Shizuru and reared it head once before it made its way around the house.
The centipede wandered around the house and would occasionally stopped to look back to ensure that Shizuru was following it.
This venomous centipede was something Shizuru chanced upon on while travelling in the Amazons and had decided to rear it. This centipede is not the usual centipede people find in Amazon. Shizuru had reared the centipede using black magic.
Most people knew her as Viola Shizuru, the adopted granddaughter of Viola Kiyotaro of the Viola Conglomeration. But very few knew her as Fujino Shizuru. To the normal people, she was Viola Shizuru but in the world of Black Magic, people knew her as Fujino Shizuru, the designated future head of Fujino Clan, the strongest clan in the world of Black Magic. Their history went far back to ancient time and Fujino Clan could even claim to be the first to ever practice Black Magic.
People born to the Fujino were dispersed far and wide across the globe, taking on different names, occupations and roles. Some of them could be high ranking officers working in the government and business sectors while others could be blue collar workers or even housewives. Most of them had their identity kept secret. But despite the facade, they will always unite together as one Fujino Clan. And she will be the head of Fujino Clan.
Shizuru followed the creature as it circled around the house before finally stopping at the dining table. She bent down and looked beneath the table and just underneath the table, Shizuru saw a thin large rectangular outline on the floor. It was so nicely hidden in the dark underneath the table that one would have easily missed it. The thin rectangular outline looked like a cover that could be opened. The centipede moved its feeler once and then twice before moving to the thin outline and squeezes itself into the thin gape.
Shizuru took out a penknife and stuck it into the gape of the rectangular outline on the floor and pried the cover open. The cover opened to reveal a dimly lit hidden basement and there was a small ladder step that led into the basement.
With a slight frown, Shizuru bended down and climbed down the ladder following closely behind the centipede. The air inside the basement was stale and stuffy. There was only a few steps before Shizuru finally reached the floor of the basement.
The moment Shizuru's feet touched the ground, someone clapped his hands, as if welcoming her.
Rather than responding to the claps, Shizuru calmly straighten and took a quick glance at the small dimly lit basement before turning to look at Wataru Ishigami who was standing at a corner of the room, furthest away from her.
All the while the centipede was standing patiently next to Shizuru's feet.
"Gokigenyou." A gentle bow from Shizuru.
"That is fast of you, Shizuru-san." The sarcastic smile on his face. Much as he wanted to use sarcasm and bravo to hide the fear, the wall he build up earlier on was slowly crumbling as he stood face to face with Fujino Shizuru. He had heard much and knew much about Shizuru from the Fujino Clan. If he still had the hovering head with him, there might be a chance that he could walk away safe from this confrontation. But now that it was gone, there was hardly any chance for him. The fear slowly ate away the facade as he saw Shizuru's eyes glowed red in the dimly lit room, a predator hunting her prey. Ishigami took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I never knew I am that important for Shizuru-san, future head of the Fujino Clan, to hunt me down personally. I would say it is my honour."
"It has always been an unspoken rule that black magicians were not to practice such black magic. But you practiced it."
Ishigami smirked. "So? They said we can't and therefore we should not?" He gave a bark of laughter as if he find it hilarious. It lasted for a few seconds before Ishigami stopped, his face wiped free of smile and replaced with mockery and perhaps anger. "Don't be hypocritical, Shizuru-san. Telling me that I can't because of an unspoken rule. What about the Fujino Clan? You and your clan are well versed in Black Magic. Do you dare to tell me that no one in your Clan has ever practiced it before?" Disdain obvious on his face. "Don't ever dare to tell me about the unspoken rule!"
"Ara… Wataru-san seems to know my clan rather well. I can't guarantee that none of my clan members has dabbled on this magic. But I can for sure tell you, that if they have practiced it, the clan and I are willing to bear the retributions or consequences of it. But the question is, are you willing to?" Shizuru stepped away from the steps and walked gracefully towards Wataru Ishigami. A lioness on hunt as her eyes grew brighter in the poorly lit room. Ishigami instinctively took a step back and back himself into the wall. "Ne… tell me Wataru-san, who taught you this black magic?" Shizuru asked as she lifted her right hand and wrapped her fingers around Wataru's neck, who all the while had remained frozen as he stood there staring wide eyed at Shizuru.
"Humph! Like...like I would tell you!" Wataru Ishigami said, a last attempt at bravo as his breaths quickened. "You are not fit to know my teacher's name!"
"Ara… Wataru-san prefers the hard way." A smile on her face as she tightened the grip on his neck. "Come on, tell me who taught you that!" Shizuru asked as she pushed him up, hard against the wall and raised him up so that he was tiptoeing on his feet.
Ishigami's eyes widened in horror.
What kind of monstrous strength she has!
Her fingers tightened as every minute passed by and Wataru's face grew a darker shade of red. Breathing was getting harder and harder for him as he grabbed Shizuru's right hand and tried to loosen her grip on him. He tried to loosen her fingers around his neck, but his sweaty palms only slipped passed her fingers. All his actions were to no avail. Shizuru's strength was unexpected.
With his last breath, Ishigami mastered all his strength and threw a kick at Shizuru. Immediately Shizuru reacted by raising her left foot to block the kick and Ishigami's leg recoiled from the impact. His leg was numb.
Just as his vision started to go hazy, Shizuru released him briefly, allowing his feet to touch the ground.
Ishigami coughed and gasped for air as oxygen filled his lungs. But not for long when Shizuru grabbed him by the throat once again and pushed him on his tiptoes. "May I know if I am fit to know your teacher's name?"
Ishigami struggled for a while before he nodded his head. Barely could nod his head while in Shizuru's tight grip.
This time round Shizuru fully let go of Ishigami and he collapsed onto the floor in a coughing fit.
Shizuru waited patiently as she stood there watching Ishigami. Eyes devoted of feeling.
Ishigami coughed and gave a name.
"And the ancient spell too? Where did you learn it from?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Ishigami insisted.
Shizuru arched her eyebrow. Instead of replying, she raised her hand and gestured gracefully towards the pile of cardboards at the other corner of the room, opposite from where they were now. Shizuru could see sweats ticking down his forehead. And then with a smile, she signaled to the Amazonian centipede which then crawled its way towards the pile of cardboards. And this time round Ishigami's face paled considerably.
"Trying to hide Tomoe-san underneath the pile cardboard and position yourself farthest away from the pile to distract me is not going to work Wataru-san."
His lips trembled as he said, "I will say it. I will say it. Stop! Stop it right now!" He knew, better than anyone how deadly that centipede was. The moment he saw it crawling through the basement lid and into the room. He knew there was nowhere he can hide.
With another gesture from Shizuru, the centipede stopped in the middle of the path.
"I really don't know who passed me the spell…. wait wait… please" Ishigame begged when he saw the centipede inching towards the pile of cardboards. "Please listen to me first. I really don't know who passed me the spell. I found it in a corner of the library when I was looking for books." He looked at Shizuru. But when there was no reply from her, he continued, this time kneeling on the floor. "Please I am telling the truth. I found it by accident. I don't know who left it there. The spell was placed in a book found at a secluded corner of the shelf. Please believe me. I am not hiding anything!"
There was a long pause as Ishigami looked at Shizuru, pleading, with hope in his eyes that Shizuru would believe him.
"Alright." And this time Shizuru smiled. "Gokigenyou." And Shizuru turned to walk towards the steps out of the basement.
Stunned, Ishigami asked, "You are letting me go?"
"Ara… I shouldn't?" Shizuru asked as she turned slightly to face Ishigami. "Anyway, you have already received your karma, haven't you?" Shizuru pointed out as Ishigami reached out to pull his sleeves down, covering the black spots that started to grow on his arms not long ago. "And more to come for all the harm and deaths that you have caused. There is no need for me to kill you."
Ishigami gave a bitter laugh. "Karma? What about you? For all things your clan have done. Shouldn't you be the one to worry about retribution?"
"Me?" Shizuru chuckled as she shook her head. "Care for yourself first. I will take it face it head on when it happens."
When it happens. Not if it happens.
Shizuru took a few steps before stopping again, glancing at the pile of cardboards. "I have called the police. They will be here in a few minutes. And perhaps, they could provide Tomoe the care that she badly needed now. Gokigenyou." Shizuru said as she stepped onto the steps and climbed out of the secret basement with the centipede following behind her.
Shizuru stepped out of the deserted house and paused at doorway, looking up at the clear blue sky.
Karma and retribution huh…
Karma, a term that is mentioned in many religions. It refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect). Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering.
Basically a person reaps what he or she sowed.
And such a true statement for practitioners of Black magic. Black magic was not something anyone should get involved in. Whoever involves themselves in it must bear in mind that he will receive retribution for the bad deeds that he has done.
For Wataru Ishigami, his retribution came fast and furious the moment Shizuru and Natsuki destroyed the hovering head. He won't have long to live.
But what about her? When will her retribution start? Perhaps she was trying to accumulate some good karma when she decided not to kill Ishigami earlier on.
But would it really help? Shizuru thought cynically. Especially when she was facing all the bad karma accumulated over the centuries by the Fujino Clan.
Shizuru stared searchingly into the sky until a shadow fell onto her. She looked down and saw Mikoto standing in front of her, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Ara… Is there something wrong Mikoto?" The pensiveness earlier on was gone and replaced by her usual smile.
"Shizuru-sama, I have contacted Mai about the location and she said she will send her colleagues over here immediately."
Surprised by Mai's reply, Shizuru asked, "Ara, Mai wasn't able to come herself?"
"Mai said that she is held back by something." And this time round, there was a slight frown on Mikoto's face. Shizuru has a foreboding feeling. "Mai said that Natsuki was injured and she is tending to the situation now."
Shizuru pupils diluted at Mikoto's reply. Her face paled at the thought of Natsuki being seriously injured.
"Where…" Shizuru's voice wavered for a moment before she steadied herself. "Where is she now?"
"Mai hanged up before I was able to check for the location. Gomen'nasai Shizuru-sama."
Shizuru took out her phone and dialed Natsuki's number.
Natsuki did not pick up her call. She tried a second time. And this time round someone picked up the call.
"Shizuru?" Natsuki's voice, slightly panting.
Shizuru gave a silent sigh of relief. "Natsuki, where are you now? Mikoto said you were injured." But as quick, relief gave way to worries when she heard grunts and screams from the back ground.
"Don't worry. I am fine now and the situation is under control." The background sound persisted.
Shizuru frowned as her face grew stoney. "Where are you? I will go and find you."
"You don't have to come. I am fine now."
"Give me the address." Shizuru persisted as anger flashed across her eyes.
How dare she! Getting herself injured when she is not around.
There was a moment paused on the other side before Natsuki rattled off an address.
Shizuru turned and began walking toward the car parked a distance away. But before she could put her hands on the handle, Mikoto stepped in in front of her and the car.
"What is it Mikoto? I am in a hurry."
"Gomen'nasai Shizuru-sama. Ouji-sama has also called earlier on, asking to meet you now." Mikoto blocked Shizuru's entry into the car as she repeated the information given to her by the current Elder of Fujino Clan.
"Tell him I will see him soon. But not now. I have something important to attend to now." Shizuru reached past Mikoto to open the car door and drove the car away.
A/N:
An early Christmas present from me. Hope you all like this chapter :)
And if you are hoping for another chapter soon? Yup! That might be the case people! I have finished writing the next chapter (chapter 12) and waiting for a good time to release it. I have also updated and made some amendments to the previous chapter (chapter 10).
Merry Christmas Everyone! And have a awesome holiday…
P.S.
My hands are itching to start a new ShizuNat story. These are the few stories bouncing in my head:
1) World has come to an end and zombies roamed the earth. Unfortunately, Shizuru wasn't able to survive leaving Natsuki behind. Just as Shizuru thought everything was about to end, she was given a chance to return back to the past, months before the World comes to an end. With all her knowledge that the World is going to end soon, what will Shizuru do to keep Natsuki and her alive? Especially given Shizuru's new found ability.
2) Natsuki, a General of a defeated empire, was captured by Fujino Shizuru. A prisoner of war and the ruler that has come and conquered her country. How would the two reconcile their differences. What can Shizuru do to tame the blue hair beauty?
3)The boat that Natsuki was caught in a storm and ended up stranded in a foreign country, ruled by the Viola family for centuries. Stranded in foreign land, Natsuki tried desperately to return home. But what can Viola Shizuru do to keep her from leaving?
But… I am controlling myself. I will most probably start these stories when I finish Black Magic or Unexpected. Sigh...