Disclaimer: I don't own FY. I own all the tapes though but I think that doesn't really count.
~ Ohohoho!! Yep, you're all interested now. Let's see. Nuriko doesn't have an alibi. Miaka may be guilty-or not. Tasuki has those suspicious looking bruises and also no alibi. Hotohori had plans with Chichiri to kill Tamahome and it looks like the sod was poisoned as well. The only one who has not really been implicated is Chiriko but I hope you don't think it will stay that way!! We have two more chapters after this so I hope you guys begin to bookmark this story or my penname so you don't lose the story. Your reviews are entertaining. Lots of people are saying Nuriko and some are saying they're all involved. It's really up in the air right now. I got one review that was very close to what actually happened but it wasn't quite right. Keep trying! ~
Chapter Six: Mitsukake
By: omni82
Dawn was beginning to give way as Houki surveyed her sixth suspect. Mitsukake reclined with an accustomed ease in the plush chair. It seemed he had a lot of practice fitting into small spaces. The question was if he had used that skill to hide in Tamahome's room and kill him.
"How's the investigation doing?" Mitsukake rumbled. Houki was startled by his initiative. The healer was not normally a talkative person. Was this his defense tactic?
"I seem to be making good headway," she replied.
"How has this 'headway' led to me?" He inquired with mild interest. Feigned apathy was something new.
"I need your expert opinion," Houki lied. "Tamahome was poisoned and I'd like you to give me some suggestions on the type of poison it might have been."
"What was the method of delivery?" Mitsukake asked, no suspicion evident in his voice. Houki relaxed slightly; maybe he was going to fall for it after all.
"It was mixed into his wine. He ingested a liberal amount of it," she explained.
"It could be anything." Mitsukake dismissed her question with a wave. "There are hundreds of poisons that could have been deadly enough to kill him, even diluted."
"Can you name a few?" She pressed.
"Of course but that's pointless." Mitsukake shrugged it off. Houki was becoming swiftly annoyed with the giant man.
"I don't think so." She gritted out.
"Why don't you tell me what you think?" Mitsukake rumbled, reclining in his seat.
"I think you made the poison that killed Tamahome and instructed someone on how to use it." Houki hissed. The giant's thin mouth curved into a half-smile as his blue eyes gleamed in the flickering light of the candle.
"And if I did?"
"Then you are going to tell me who you gave the poison to and who killed Tamahome!"
"I don't think so, your majesty. You see, you have no proof I did it. Any circumstantial evidence is also very flimsy because anyone who is familiar with concocting brews can make a poison strong enough to kill." Mitsukake peered intently into her eyes. "I'm not guilty."
"Than who the hell is?!" Houki burst out. "I have seishi lined up, telling me how innocent they are yet not one of them has given me any proof of it. For all I know, you all killed Tamahome!"
Mitsukake threw his head back and laughed. He laughed so hard that tears trickled down his face. Houki was insulted.
"What is so funny?" She demanded with a touch of wounded pride.
"And just who do you suppose orchestrated this supposed coupe by all the Suzaku seishi?" He chuckled. "Chiriko? Miaka?"
"It's funny that you should mention it," Houki told him through clenched teeth. "No one has implicated Chiriko in any way at all. I find that a little suspicious, don't you?"
"Not at all," Mitsukake replied airily. "He's only thirteen years old, what would Chiriko know of planning an intricate murder?"
"Who said it was intricate?" Houki demanded. Mitsukake looked surprised and began stammering.
"Uh, you did, didn't you? Poison and blows to the head and such. Sounds complicated."
"No, it doesn't. I imagine only someone who actually knew what went on tonight would think it complicated. So why don't you tell me how complex this murder really was, Mitsukake?"
"I don't know." The healer steadfastly refused to give her any information. Houki narrowed her eyes and glared at him but unlike Tasuki, he didn't give in.
"Fine then." Houki flounced to the door. "I'll get what I need from Chiriko. You are excused."
As Mitsukake passed by, he bowed his head to her ear. "You'll never get anything from Chiriko. You may as well give up. Tamahome's murder is a mystery and it's going to stay that way!"
"We'll see about that," she told his retreating back. "We'll just see."
TBC…
Preview of Chapter Seven:
"Did you concoct the poison that killed Tamahome?"
"No. You are wasting your breath, woman. Why don't you go pop out a baby or something useful for a change." Chiriko sneered.
"Did you kill Tamahome!" Houki yelled, slamming her hands down on the nearby table.
"I didn't kill Tamahome but if you persist in this line of questioning, I can make sure you see how it was done. Firsthand."
~ My goodness, Chiriko sounded evil too. What do you guys think? Anyone changing there minds now? Let me here your theories! ~
