A Picture of Summer
by: Venusskies
email: venus_skies@excite.com
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter 6: An Unexpected Twist
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I just don't understand.
Why am I so worked up in this?
For heaven's sake, I've already accepted the fact that Kenshin has killed so many men as the Hitokiri Battousai. Why am I so anxious?
No. It isn't about Kenshin… well… In a way, yes, it's about him… Yet it's not… Why the hell am I confusing myself?!
Oh for heaven's sake, get a grip Kamiya! Go out and smell the fresh air! I walked to the balcony and breathed in deeply. The fresh scent of autumn was very comforting, and I found myself relaxing very quickly. It helped me to think of the past conversation.
Phillip remained silent for a few moments before he spoke, "I want you to keep everything that we have talked about a secret. No one else must know. Could I trust you on this?" I nodded.
"The one who killed Satoshi was… the Hitokiri Battousai…"
I gasped.
"No way… You mean…"
"Yes," Phillip replied. "And I have every intention of getting my revenge, for my best friend, and for my sister."
Great. I come here to this foreign country in hopes of having a great time, and here I am, being bothered by some 'friend' who wants revenge on the very man I love. Why does life have to be so cruel?
I'm pretty sure that he'll be returning to this subject one in a while. Since he's already opened up to me, I'm sure he'll start talking about it with me some other time. Demo… Should I tell Kenshin about this? It might be unnecessary, and it might make him worry more over me. He's probably worrying right now if I'm okay, if I'm eating right and sleeping right. He's probably worked up just thinking about me.
No. I won't tell him anymore. I'll just keep it all to myself. Neither will I tell Phillip that I know the Hitokiri Battousai. It would just endanger Kenshin's life, and… yes, it might endanger mine. I'm just going to have to lie… Demo, I'm really not so good with lying.
Someone opened the door from behind and closed it. I turned and saw Chiharu holding an envelope in her hand. She smiled when she saw me.
"Kaoru-chan, you have a letter from the dojo," she said walking up to give me the letter.
"Really? Thank you for bringing it to me," I replied. I took the envelope from her hand and examined it. It was from Kenshin. "It's from Kenshin."
"Open it then," Chiharu coaxed. So she wanted to hear from Kenshin too…
"Maybe later Chiharu," I replied. "I'm not so much in the mood to read letters." In truth, I was aching to tear the envelope apart and read his letter. I just didn't want to do it in front of her, meaning I'd have to share its contents to her. She might even ask to read it…
"Oh, okay. I'll just go downstairs again and see what the others are doing," she said and turned to walk to the door. Just before she closed it behind her, she said, "You should start packing. We'll be leaving for Bath tomorrow morning."
"I will," I replied, and she shut the door with a soft click. When I was assured she was gone, I opened the envelope. Inside it were four sheets of paper, one from Misao, another from Yahiko, and two from Kenshin. It was his letter which was the longest, but I decided to read Misao's first.
Dearest Kaoru-chan,
Hi, hello! How are you? I'm fine, still genki as ever. But I miss you so much Kaoru-chan! I couldn't take this any longer! Oh please, just go back home. I'm losing my pen pal. Do you know it's sooooooooo expensive to be mailing a letter from Kyoto to London? That's why I had Himura mail this letter to you. When I found out the rates, I almost fainted! Sheesh, Kaoru- chan, how do you manage to send regular letters to the dojo with such prices? Do your relatives give you like a thousand yen a month? And how does Himura keep up? (He probably has some secret cash stowed somewhere in Japan which he uses for emergencies... ()
Well, I guess I should start by giving you an update I heard courtesy of the fox, the rooster and the rurouni. After all, I don't think Himura's been narrating to you everything that has happened in the dojo ne? He's quite unreliable sometimes, I know. I haven't heard much from the brat since he's been very busy lately. Really, Kaoru-chan, the boy's cursing you because you left such a load for him. I comforted him by saying, "Just imagine how Kaoru-chan manages to teach at three dojos in order to feed you and Kenshin and then manage to keep a cheery face at the dinner table." That made him squirm a bit. :) I just love making the Tokyo Samurai uncomfy! Serves him right for calling me you-know-what.
We, the Oniwabanshuu, are doing fine. We're currently working on a new case, but Aoshi-sama's already looked into that. I'm just looking for some extra info on the guy we're working on. I'm halfway through, and I only have little left to do. Okina, as usual, is still looking out for girls, Aoshi-sama's still as serious as before, Omasu & Okon are still madly in love with Hiko-san, and the rest are carrying on with their lives like before. Me, I'm doing fine. BUT I AM CERTAINLY MISSING A CERTAIN FRIEND WHO'S ALL THE WAY OVERSEAS.
So, for the updates. I heard from the fox-lady that Himura has been getting quite spaced out lately. He's oftentimes caught just staring into nothingness and then being very absent-minded. Hmm... seems like he's thinking of something... or rather, someone. (A someone named Kamiya Kaoru perhaps?) And, I also heard from rooster-head that he's been attracting some attention to himself at the marketplace now. Girl-magnet he is. Sano told me that there were a few girls who nagged him to death at the market with questions. They were interviewing him already! Like, "Where do you live?" or "When can I see you again?" plus "Where's the girl you're with every time you go to the market?" and the worst of all: "Are you already taken?" Sheesh! Your rurouni-turned-bishounen might become a playboy if this gets into his head. (Lucky you he's loyal. :D )
Oh well... I guess that's it. Reluctant as I am to end this letter, I must.... (Sniff!) Sad!!!.... Well, I must go now... Ja ne...
P.S.
If you don't believe what I'm saying re: Himura, why don't you go ask him yourself?
Your favorite tomodachi,
Misao
I laughed at the end of the letter. She sure cracked me up. Demo, I can't believe what she just said about Kenshin! Is it really true what she's saying? Gosh… Well, I just hope he really is behaving himself. He's going to get such a good scolding if I find out he isn't. And Yahiko, is he really cursing me because of the load I left him? Poor boy. He must be worn out to death. I should reward him when I get back.
I turned to the next sheet of paper which was Yahiko's letter. I smiled when I read the first line.
Busu-sama,
Kenshin decided to mail all three letters in one envelope, so if you've read the weasel's letter first, don't believe a word she's saying about me. She exaggerated everything.
So how are you? Doing great? I hope you're finally doing whatever you want to do. I hope you're having fun. You deserve it. I realized after filling in for you here at the dojo that what you were doing to support us was no joke. I'm beginning to appreciate all that you've done for us, and I'm very thankful for it…
I continued reading Yahiko's letter until the very end, some tears forming in my eyes. From what I've read, the boy has grown into a man. He's mature now. He can make the right decisions and he can stand up on his own feet. I wish I had been there to see that transition, to support him when he needed me. Even though he doesn't admit it to himself, sometimes he needs me there beside him, as his teacher, as his sister, as his friend.
What's with me? I'm getting sentimental. I smiled when I took the last two sheets of paper, Kenshin's letter. My heart wrenched at the first line of the letter. He called me koishii, like he promised he would. I leaned on the railings of the balcony, the paper flipping gently against the gentle breeze. I smiled every time I read the words Aishiteru and I miss you and I longed for the time when I could finally be with him. He told me that everything was fine at home and I had nothing to worry about. They were all fine and healthy and they have more than enough to put food on the table three times a day, thanks to Yahiko. He said that he's also working now to pass the time, and to save up some money for when I come back. I blushed at that. Was he… well…
He also told me that Sano was planning to propose to Megumi anytime soon. My eyes widened at that. Sano? Propose to Megumi? Ooh. I'd love to hear how his proposal turns out. And it's about time that he did, since he's loved Megumi for such a long time. I just hope Megumi says yes.
I suddenly remembered Misao's letter and the part on Kenshin. I giggled softly to myself. I wonder if what it really is true. Hmm… Yes, I will ask Kenshin on that.
His letter quickly came to an end with an 'I love you koishii'. I smiled a bit, both happy and sad, happy that a man so wonderful as he loved me, sad that we were so far away from each other. I yearned for his embrace and his kiss, silently wishing that I was back home with him. I missed him terribly, and also Yahiko, Sano, Megumi and Misao, as well as Genzai-sensei and Ayame and Suzume. My heart ached, and I breathed deeply. We were going to Bath tomorrow, and I might as well look forward to it rather than sulk around.
Suddenly the door opened again. I hastily stuffed the letters inside the envelope and turned to see who it was. It was Chiharu, with some news.
"Kaoru-chan, we're not going to Bath tomorrow," she declared.
"What? How come?" I asked.
"Father and Mr. Barry have been called for business at London, and they have to leave immediately."
"Couldn't we just go ahead?"
"Father doesn't want us to. He says that we have to travel together."
"Oh… okay."
It had been four days ago when I woke up with the ground thick with snow three feet deep. It was very cold... no, freezing, that morning. Everyone went downstairs for breakfast wearing gloves and coats, anything thick they could find in their closets. On that same day, Uncle John and Mr. Barry left for their London branch, saying that they should come over and fix something in the business. It was probably something about papers and offers for next year. Aunt Mikako and Ms. Lea strongly disagreed that they go out now, especially in the raging snow. But as Aunt Mikako said, Uncle John was stubborn as a rock.
So now, Uncle John and Mr. Barry still haven't returned. It's been four days, and all the time we were cooped up in the house with nothing to do since there was a constant threat of a snowstorm. If only we had gone to Bath earlier… Mou! But now, I could see the sun shining brightly in the sky. The milk white covering the ground seemed very inviting, and I had a sudden urge to challenge everyone in a snow fight. Every winter back at home, the Kenshin-gumi and I would go into a snow-fight, especially when the snow was knee-deep. We'd go in teams of twos and threes. Sometimes Megumi and Genzai-sensei would come, so we'd have teams of fours. Ayame and Suzume couldn't play, so they just act as the cheerers, Ayame for one side and Suzume for the other.
"Chiharu, let's get the boys and have a snow fight," I said.
But my dear cousin was busy finishing the knitting she had started during the three days of being cooped up in the house.
"Hmm, you go ahead. I'll just follow," she replied, adjusting her glasses to see better.
"You look like a grandma who's too old and fragile to move around," I teased.
She peered at me through her spectacles and stated, "Whatever."
I stuck my tongue out at her. "You're no fun at all."
"Whatever," she said again.
I suddenly lost interest in snow-fighting.
He sipped his tea calmly as his brother sat in front of him.
"Have you been listening?" Dave said.
"So, what's your point?" Phillip replied.
"SO? Brother, from what you've just told me, she might know something. She might know where the hell we could find Battousai. We could finally take revenge for Satoshi once and for all!"
Phillip paused and sipped his tea again, not saying anything. This seemed to have angered Dave for he pounded his fist on the table, and gritting his teeth, he told his brother," Doesn't your best friend's death mean anything to you? And our sister! Don't you want to get rid of the man who was the killer of your sister's love? It's been eleven years for heaven's sake, and we haven't had a clue to his whereabouts! The former Shinsen are useless!"
"Don't be too hasty," Phillip spoke. "For all you know, she could just be shocked that the Hitokiri Battousai, of all people, killed Satoshi. There could be a million reasons behind her shock. Knowing something about him can't be the only one."
Dave just sighed, grinning.
"You're always the logical one brother. Then again, it may be true, what you're saying."
"I say we give it time. If she actually shows signs that she knows anything about Battousai, then we interrogate. Of course, we have to do it... tactfully."
"Alright. We wait. But I can't wait long brother. You know I need to know," Dave said. "Don't you think... Don't you think we need to ask help from somebody else? We've waited for eleven years, and nothing's happening. Do you think we need to enlist the help of..."
"I don't like him one bit. He's the worst," Phillip replied icily. "Only when I'm desperate will I ask him for help."
"But brother..."
"No buts. He's a dangerous man. I don't like being with him, even for a second."
"Hai..."
"What the heck?!" Chiharu exclaimed when somebody suddenly barged into the door, panting.
"Miss... telegram... from... London..." the servant breathed. Chiharu came forward and took the telegram. She ripped the envelope open and read it. Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she began to pale. Seeing this I rushed to her side and took the telegram from her and read it. I suddenly had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
With a thump, I saw Chiharu faint.
"Chiharu!" I cried and immediately undid two of her upper buttons so she could get air. I ordered the servant to help me put her on the bed, and then hurry to get Aunt Mikako. I was watching my unconscious cousin despairingly, thinking about the telegram I had just read. I saw it lying a few feet away from me. I then stood up and gingerly picked it up. I read it one more time.
Sou na... Uncle John and Mr. Barry... My vision began to blur.
According to the telegram, their carriage crashed on the way to London. They were now in the hospital being treated, and their conditions were quite unstable...
Aunt Mikako rushed in frantically, followed by Ms. Lea, Dave and then Phillip. She saw Chiharu on the bed and then rushed to her side.
"Chiharu!" she cried. "Oh my God... What happened to her?"
"She fainted," I replied softly. "After reading this..." Reluctantly, I handed the telegram to her. She too was unwilling to take it.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Telegram from London," was all I could say, choking back the tears that were threatening to spill. But I couldn't contain them any longer. I immediately ran past everyone and out of the room, gasping for breath in the hallway.
I heard Aunt Mikako's sobs, followed by a strangled cry I presumed from Ms. Lea. I felt my heart grow heavy at the sobs, and even heavier when I realized that there was little I could do for them. Slowly, I walked inside, only to find everyone in tears. I who didn't have any direct relations with them didn't find tears necessary, so I just sat quietly on the bed and waited for everyone to stop crying. Aunt Mikako was the first one to stop, so I asked her, "What do we do now?"
She looked away, thinking, and then replied, "We go to London as soon as possible. We can just stay at your Uncle's house for the meantime, until everything's over."
"When do we leave?"
"Later... I guess... As soon as everyone's ready, and after Chiharu wakes up," she spoke, gently stroking her daughter's cheek. "My poor baby..."
I looked away. I couldn't bear the sight. This was all because of that accident.
One accident...
So many consequences...
Slowly, I stood up, preparing myself for our departure.
To be continued…
by: Venusskies
email: venus_skies@excite.com
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter 6: An Unexpected Twist
I don't know what's wrong with me.
I just don't understand.
Why am I so worked up in this?
For heaven's sake, I've already accepted the fact that Kenshin has killed so many men as the Hitokiri Battousai. Why am I so anxious?
No. It isn't about Kenshin… well… In a way, yes, it's about him… Yet it's not… Why the hell am I confusing myself?!
Oh for heaven's sake, get a grip Kamiya! Go out and smell the fresh air! I walked to the balcony and breathed in deeply. The fresh scent of autumn was very comforting, and I found myself relaxing very quickly. It helped me to think of the past conversation.
Phillip remained silent for a few moments before he spoke, "I want you to keep everything that we have talked about a secret. No one else must know. Could I trust you on this?" I nodded.
"The one who killed Satoshi was… the Hitokiri Battousai…"
I gasped.
"No way… You mean…"
"Yes," Phillip replied. "And I have every intention of getting my revenge, for my best friend, and for my sister."
Great. I come here to this foreign country in hopes of having a great time, and here I am, being bothered by some 'friend' who wants revenge on the very man I love. Why does life have to be so cruel?
I'm pretty sure that he'll be returning to this subject one in a while. Since he's already opened up to me, I'm sure he'll start talking about it with me some other time. Demo… Should I tell Kenshin about this? It might be unnecessary, and it might make him worry more over me. He's probably worrying right now if I'm okay, if I'm eating right and sleeping right. He's probably worked up just thinking about me.
No. I won't tell him anymore. I'll just keep it all to myself. Neither will I tell Phillip that I know the Hitokiri Battousai. It would just endanger Kenshin's life, and… yes, it might endanger mine. I'm just going to have to lie… Demo, I'm really not so good with lying.
Someone opened the door from behind and closed it. I turned and saw Chiharu holding an envelope in her hand. She smiled when she saw me.
"Kaoru-chan, you have a letter from the dojo," she said walking up to give me the letter.
"Really? Thank you for bringing it to me," I replied. I took the envelope from her hand and examined it. It was from Kenshin. "It's from Kenshin."
"Open it then," Chiharu coaxed. So she wanted to hear from Kenshin too…
"Maybe later Chiharu," I replied. "I'm not so much in the mood to read letters." In truth, I was aching to tear the envelope apart and read his letter. I just didn't want to do it in front of her, meaning I'd have to share its contents to her. She might even ask to read it…
"Oh, okay. I'll just go downstairs again and see what the others are doing," she said and turned to walk to the door. Just before she closed it behind her, she said, "You should start packing. We'll be leaving for Bath tomorrow morning."
"I will," I replied, and she shut the door with a soft click. When I was assured she was gone, I opened the envelope. Inside it were four sheets of paper, one from Misao, another from Yahiko, and two from Kenshin. It was his letter which was the longest, but I decided to read Misao's first.
Dearest Kaoru-chan,
Hi, hello! How are you? I'm fine, still genki as ever. But I miss you so much Kaoru-chan! I couldn't take this any longer! Oh please, just go back home. I'm losing my pen pal. Do you know it's sooooooooo expensive to be mailing a letter from Kyoto to London? That's why I had Himura mail this letter to you. When I found out the rates, I almost fainted! Sheesh, Kaoru- chan, how do you manage to send regular letters to the dojo with such prices? Do your relatives give you like a thousand yen a month? And how does Himura keep up? (He probably has some secret cash stowed somewhere in Japan which he uses for emergencies... ()
Well, I guess I should start by giving you an update I heard courtesy of the fox, the rooster and the rurouni. After all, I don't think Himura's been narrating to you everything that has happened in the dojo ne? He's quite unreliable sometimes, I know. I haven't heard much from the brat since he's been very busy lately. Really, Kaoru-chan, the boy's cursing you because you left such a load for him. I comforted him by saying, "Just imagine how Kaoru-chan manages to teach at three dojos in order to feed you and Kenshin and then manage to keep a cheery face at the dinner table." That made him squirm a bit. :) I just love making the Tokyo Samurai uncomfy! Serves him right for calling me you-know-what.
We, the Oniwabanshuu, are doing fine. We're currently working on a new case, but Aoshi-sama's already looked into that. I'm just looking for some extra info on the guy we're working on. I'm halfway through, and I only have little left to do. Okina, as usual, is still looking out for girls, Aoshi-sama's still as serious as before, Omasu & Okon are still madly in love with Hiko-san, and the rest are carrying on with their lives like before. Me, I'm doing fine. BUT I AM CERTAINLY MISSING A CERTAIN FRIEND WHO'S ALL THE WAY OVERSEAS.
So, for the updates. I heard from the fox-lady that Himura has been getting quite spaced out lately. He's oftentimes caught just staring into nothingness and then being very absent-minded. Hmm... seems like he's thinking of something... or rather, someone. (A someone named Kamiya Kaoru perhaps?) And, I also heard from rooster-head that he's been attracting some attention to himself at the marketplace now. Girl-magnet he is. Sano told me that there were a few girls who nagged him to death at the market with questions. They were interviewing him already! Like, "Where do you live?" or "When can I see you again?" plus "Where's the girl you're with every time you go to the market?" and the worst of all: "Are you already taken?" Sheesh! Your rurouni-turned-bishounen might become a playboy if this gets into his head. (Lucky you he's loyal. :D )
Oh well... I guess that's it. Reluctant as I am to end this letter, I must.... (Sniff!) Sad!!!.... Well, I must go now... Ja ne...
P.S.
If you don't believe what I'm saying re: Himura, why don't you go ask him yourself?
Your favorite tomodachi,
Misao
I laughed at the end of the letter. She sure cracked me up. Demo, I can't believe what she just said about Kenshin! Is it really true what she's saying? Gosh… Well, I just hope he really is behaving himself. He's going to get such a good scolding if I find out he isn't. And Yahiko, is he really cursing me because of the load I left him? Poor boy. He must be worn out to death. I should reward him when I get back.
I turned to the next sheet of paper which was Yahiko's letter. I smiled when I read the first line.
Busu-sama,
Kenshin decided to mail all three letters in one envelope, so if you've read the weasel's letter first, don't believe a word she's saying about me. She exaggerated everything.
So how are you? Doing great? I hope you're finally doing whatever you want to do. I hope you're having fun. You deserve it. I realized after filling in for you here at the dojo that what you were doing to support us was no joke. I'm beginning to appreciate all that you've done for us, and I'm very thankful for it…
I continued reading Yahiko's letter until the very end, some tears forming in my eyes. From what I've read, the boy has grown into a man. He's mature now. He can make the right decisions and he can stand up on his own feet. I wish I had been there to see that transition, to support him when he needed me. Even though he doesn't admit it to himself, sometimes he needs me there beside him, as his teacher, as his sister, as his friend.
What's with me? I'm getting sentimental. I smiled when I took the last two sheets of paper, Kenshin's letter. My heart wrenched at the first line of the letter. He called me koishii, like he promised he would. I leaned on the railings of the balcony, the paper flipping gently against the gentle breeze. I smiled every time I read the words Aishiteru and I miss you and I longed for the time when I could finally be with him. He told me that everything was fine at home and I had nothing to worry about. They were all fine and healthy and they have more than enough to put food on the table three times a day, thanks to Yahiko. He said that he's also working now to pass the time, and to save up some money for when I come back. I blushed at that. Was he… well…
He also told me that Sano was planning to propose to Megumi anytime soon. My eyes widened at that. Sano? Propose to Megumi? Ooh. I'd love to hear how his proposal turns out. And it's about time that he did, since he's loved Megumi for such a long time. I just hope Megumi says yes.
I suddenly remembered Misao's letter and the part on Kenshin. I giggled softly to myself. I wonder if what it really is true. Hmm… Yes, I will ask Kenshin on that.
His letter quickly came to an end with an 'I love you koishii'. I smiled a bit, both happy and sad, happy that a man so wonderful as he loved me, sad that we were so far away from each other. I yearned for his embrace and his kiss, silently wishing that I was back home with him. I missed him terribly, and also Yahiko, Sano, Megumi and Misao, as well as Genzai-sensei and Ayame and Suzume. My heart ached, and I breathed deeply. We were going to Bath tomorrow, and I might as well look forward to it rather than sulk around.
Suddenly the door opened again. I hastily stuffed the letters inside the envelope and turned to see who it was. It was Chiharu, with some news.
"Kaoru-chan, we're not going to Bath tomorrow," she declared.
"What? How come?" I asked.
"Father and Mr. Barry have been called for business at London, and they have to leave immediately."
"Couldn't we just go ahead?"
"Father doesn't want us to. He says that we have to travel together."
"Oh… okay."
It had been four days ago when I woke up with the ground thick with snow three feet deep. It was very cold... no, freezing, that morning. Everyone went downstairs for breakfast wearing gloves and coats, anything thick they could find in their closets. On that same day, Uncle John and Mr. Barry left for their London branch, saying that they should come over and fix something in the business. It was probably something about papers and offers for next year. Aunt Mikako and Ms. Lea strongly disagreed that they go out now, especially in the raging snow. But as Aunt Mikako said, Uncle John was stubborn as a rock.
So now, Uncle John and Mr. Barry still haven't returned. It's been four days, and all the time we were cooped up in the house with nothing to do since there was a constant threat of a snowstorm. If only we had gone to Bath earlier… Mou! But now, I could see the sun shining brightly in the sky. The milk white covering the ground seemed very inviting, and I had a sudden urge to challenge everyone in a snow fight. Every winter back at home, the Kenshin-gumi and I would go into a snow-fight, especially when the snow was knee-deep. We'd go in teams of twos and threes. Sometimes Megumi and Genzai-sensei would come, so we'd have teams of fours. Ayame and Suzume couldn't play, so they just act as the cheerers, Ayame for one side and Suzume for the other.
"Chiharu, let's get the boys and have a snow fight," I said.
But my dear cousin was busy finishing the knitting she had started during the three days of being cooped up in the house.
"Hmm, you go ahead. I'll just follow," she replied, adjusting her glasses to see better.
"You look like a grandma who's too old and fragile to move around," I teased.
She peered at me through her spectacles and stated, "Whatever."
I stuck my tongue out at her. "You're no fun at all."
"Whatever," she said again.
I suddenly lost interest in snow-fighting.
He sipped his tea calmly as his brother sat in front of him.
"Have you been listening?" Dave said.
"So, what's your point?" Phillip replied.
"SO? Brother, from what you've just told me, she might know something. She might know where the hell we could find Battousai. We could finally take revenge for Satoshi once and for all!"
Phillip paused and sipped his tea again, not saying anything. This seemed to have angered Dave for he pounded his fist on the table, and gritting his teeth, he told his brother," Doesn't your best friend's death mean anything to you? And our sister! Don't you want to get rid of the man who was the killer of your sister's love? It's been eleven years for heaven's sake, and we haven't had a clue to his whereabouts! The former Shinsen are useless!"
"Don't be too hasty," Phillip spoke. "For all you know, she could just be shocked that the Hitokiri Battousai, of all people, killed Satoshi. There could be a million reasons behind her shock. Knowing something about him can't be the only one."
Dave just sighed, grinning.
"You're always the logical one brother. Then again, it may be true, what you're saying."
"I say we give it time. If she actually shows signs that she knows anything about Battousai, then we interrogate. Of course, we have to do it... tactfully."
"Alright. We wait. But I can't wait long brother. You know I need to know," Dave said. "Don't you think... Don't you think we need to ask help from somebody else? We've waited for eleven years, and nothing's happening. Do you think we need to enlist the help of..."
"I don't like him one bit. He's the worst," Phillip replied icily. "Only when I'm desperate will I ask him for help."
"But brother..."
"No buts. He's a dangerous man. I don't like being with him, even for a second."
"Hai..."
"What the heck?!" Chiharu exclaimed when somebody suddenly barged into the door, panting.
"Miss... telegram... from... London..." the servant breathed. Chiharu came forward and took the telegram. She ripped the envelope open and read it. Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she began to pale. Seeing this I rushed to her side and took the telegram from her and read it. I suddenly had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
With a thump, I saw Chiharu faint.
"Chiharu!" I cried and immediately undid two of her upper buttons so she could get air. I ordered the servant to help me put her on the bed, and then hurry to get Aunt Mikako. I was watching my unconscious cousin despairingly, thinking about the telegram I had just read. I saw it lying a few feet away from me. I then stood up and gingerly picked it up. I read it one more time.
Sou na... Uncle John and Mr. Barry... My vision began to blur.
According to the telegram, their carriage crashed on the way to London. They were now in the hospital being treated, and their conditions were quite unstable...
Aunt Mikako rushed in frantically, followed by Ms. Lea, Dave and then Phillip. She saw Chiharu on the bed and then rushed to her side.
"Chiharu!" she cried. "Oh my God... What happened to her?"
"She fainted," I replied softly. "After reading this..." Reluctantly, I handed the telegram to her. She too was unwilling to take it.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Telegram from London," was all I could say, choking back the tears that were threatening to spill. But I couldn't contain them any longer. I immediately ran past everyone and out of the room, gasping for breath in the hallway.
I heard Aunt Mikako's sobs, followed by a strangled cry I presumed from Ms. Lea. I felt my heart grow heavy at the sobs, and even heavier when I realized that there was little I could do for them. Slowly, I walked inside, only to find everyone in tears. I who didn't have any direct relations with them didn't find tears necessary, so I just sat quietly on the bed and waited for everyone to stop crying. Aunt Mikako was the first one to stop, so I asked her, "What do we do now?"
She looked away, thinking, and then replied, "We go to London as soon as possible. We can just stay at your Uncle's house for the meantime, until everything's over."
"When do we leave?"
"Later... I guess... As soon as everyone's ready, and after Chiharu wakes up," she spoke, gently stroking her daughter's cheek. "My poor baby..."
I looked away. I couldn't bear the sight. This was all because of that accident.
One accident...
So many consequences...
Slowly, I stood up, preparing myself for our departure.
To be continued…