Actually, my stories aren't up yet, I've got some in other places, but since I only just figured out how this site works I haven't had a chance to put many up. : ) Trust me it's gonna get creepier ; ) This one is one of my better fics…or at least it was before I wrote-- never mind ; ) it's better than a lot of them, but it's only good if you stick around for the ending, because there's a little bit of a surprise waiting! *ominous music plays* Thank you again for you reviewing : )
Siri! Fancy meeting you here! I *thought* that was you over on Black Breath! I'm glad you're reading Cassia! She's a great Authoress! : ) Yeah, well, you know you can often times find Siris all over the place and in my case you can usually find my stories in some of the weirdest places soooo…. ; )
Well, onto the next chapter! : )
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Kuro-N: Chapter 2
Please see Chapter 1 for details
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"What are you doing here?" Kadiri demanded. "I told you to leave."
"We've been given permission from your uncle to ask you a few questions your highness." Qui-Gon said easily. Kadiri's eyes seemed to burn into him like hot coals.
"I don't care, leave this moment. Mai!" The woman was, for the first time, at a loss.
"Your highness," Mai said timidly. "Maybe if the Jedi would just ask you a few questions they would leave for good." Kadiri's jaw dropped and shock was plain on her face.
"Mai--" Was all she managed before she grabbed a tea cup and threw it at Obi-Wan with an angry scream, the boy ducked and it shattered to pieces on the wall. "Get out!" She shrieked. "I will not be questioned like some common criminal, and I won't allow you in my room!" Qui-Gon didn't move.
"Your highness I'm afraid I must insist on this."
Kadiri whirled. "If you won't leave, then I will! I won't answer any questions." She stamped across the room and when she reached her beautifully beaded curtain she yanked one of the long beaded cords down sending the coral beads rolling across the floor. Qui-Gon sighed, Masao was right, this wasn't going to be easy.
"We mean no harm to you Kadiri, we just think that if we could get some answers we could clear your name."
"I don't care to clear my name, I am innocent, and the people will just have to accept that." Kadiri called from her room. Qui-Gon took a few steps toward the curtain.
"Kadiri, I promise that if you answer a few questions I will not ask anymore of you, unless it is of the greatest importance."
"I told you to leave," Kadiri said again, but she seemed to be swaying slightly. Obi-Wan was wisely keeping quiet and letting Qui-Gon coax the Emprincess into cooperation. The handmaiden Mai also stood silently and just watched the imposing Jedi Master speak to the stubborn girl on the other side of the beaded curtain.
"I don't mean to accuse you of anything Kadiri," Qui-Gon waited, for the first time he didn't receive a prompt reply and after a long pause, Kadiri came to the curtain and parted it, her eyes locked with Qui-Gon's.
"Four questions, and then you will leave my room." Qui-Gon nodded in consent. Kadiri walked stiffly to her tea table and sat down across from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon sat next to her and Mai drifted back into the corner. "Ask your first question." Kadiri commanded tartly. Qui-Gon nodded.
"Where were you at the time the murder took place Kadiri?" She bit her lip then answered.
"I was--in my room asleep." Qui-Gon nodded. She had lied, but he said nothing.
"In the morning were you the first one to find your father dead?"
"No." She shook her head. "I was told when I woke up, by a servant, Kenji." Qui-Gon knew that some of it was a lie too, but what of it he could not tell.
"Who has been watching over you, Kadiri?" He asked the question mostly to know who was close to the young woman.
"Mai is my aid, but my councilor, Donitel, has been keeping close guard over me." Qui-Gon studied her, she was telling the truth, but when she had mentioned her councilor she had looked as if she feared his name, he would have to meet with this Donitel. "Last question." She said acidly.
"How close were you to your father?" She took a long moment to answer this one. Kadiri finally looked at her lap.
"Not close." She murmured. She suddenly looked up at him. "Leave now." Qui-Gon bowed to her and moved out of her room. Outside Obi-Wan stared at his master.
"What do you think?" He asked softly.
"She is used to having her own way." Qui-Gon observed. "But there is more, beyond that. She lied twice, seems to fear her councilor, and she didn't want to speak of her connection with her father." He sighed. "This investigation is going to be difficult."
***
Qui-Gon found that his watching over Obi-Wan had been waning, and he was furious with himself for being so lax. Just because the first two days had been relatively uneventful didn't mean that something wasn't going to happen.
They went to visit the servant Kenji; he young man worked in the speeder shed and drove the emperial family to various places. Qui-Gon greeted the young man with a smile.
"Kenji?" He asked.
"Yes sir," the young man smiled. "Are you the Jedi?"
"Yes we are," Qui-Gon nodded. Kenji waited as if he already knew a questioning was about to begin. "We were wondering Kenji, are you the one who told Emprincess Kadiri about her father's death?" Kenji's eyes were grave.
"Yes sir, I did, she was in terrible shock."
"Had she just awoken?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Oh no sir, she went on her morning outing." Kenji added helpfully. "She comes home every morning, I don't know how early she goes out."
"Do you know where she goes?" Qui-Gon asked.
"No sir I don't." Kenji shook her head. "Though I bet her councilor does, he makes sure he knows where she is at all times." Qui-Gon nodded.
"Thank you for your help Kenji."
"Pleasure sir." The two Jedi walked away and Obi-Wan waited a moment before speaking.
"What do you think of that answer?" He asked finally. Qui-Gon frowned.
"A confusing one, we have answered one question, where she really was when she found out, but it leaves another one: why didn't she tell us that she was on a morning outing? Especially if she does it every day." Obi-Wan squinted into the sun and looked up at his master.
"I guess we're going to speak with Donitel now?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "Exactly."
***
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were immediately shown into the Councilor's room. The councilor had his back to them, gazing out the window, but he turned to face them when they reached the desk. Qui-Gon felt shock rise in him, his hand had been resting on Obi-Wan's shoulder and he squeezed it suddenly and tightly. Donitel looked just like Xanatos! The eyes were the same deep blue, his hair was the inky black that clung in strands as if it were wet, and his pale skin was tight, creased with no emotion.
"Master Jinn, Apprentice Kenobi." Donitel greeted. His voice. Qui-Gon heard the ring of Xanatos in every smooth syllable. But he felt a relaxing wave falling over him. He was being foolish, he was letting his worry for Obi-Wan's safety make him paranoid, he lessened his grip on Obi-Wan and managed a friendly smile.
"Councilor Donitel."
"Simply call me Donitel," the man smiled lightly. He sat down at his desk and waited for the Jedi to do the same, when they had he cocked his dark eye brows as if waiting. "Well, what have you come for?"
"We wish to ask about your ward, Emprincess Kadiri." Qui-Gon said, not as smoothly as usual.
"What of her?" Donitel asked.
"We wish to verify a report that when she discovered her father's death she was returning from a morning outing. We were wondering if you might know where she goes on her outings?" Donitel smiled.
"Is that all? Well then I will tell you that she goes every day to visit the place where her mother is buried." Qui-Gon nodded.
"When does she leave?"
Donitel looked at him with a suspicious glance. "Following her will only distress her."
"As of yet, Donitel, we do not intend to follow her."
Donitel nodded. "Then I will speak plainly, she always tells me when she's leaving and it's almost always different. I couldn't give you a dependant time." Qui-Gon nodded.
"She leaves often?"
"Every day."
"I see."
"Is that all Master Jinn?"
"One more thing," Qui-Gon watched Donitel's reaction closely, the man looked annoyed but said nothing. "Why do you think someone killed Ken-Jun?" Donitel studied his folded hands then turned his cold eyes up to Qui-Gon.
"This will depend on who the murderer is."