Well, this is still a non-Aoshi chapter, but he'll show up pretty soon. I'd
like to thank Moon, for handling my english problems and for kind remarks!
Thakns also for the kind people that reviews the previous chapters, hope
you like this one and I want more reviews, you hear me?
Crossover between RK & Highlander
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 4
«The protection net the Immortals have constructed has two centers – one in Kyoto and one in Tokyo. Most of the victims have been found in Kyoto, but a growing number of corpses have appeared in Tokyo too. It is very hard to establish the exact names of the Immortals in charge of the two centers, being that they are both specialists in what they do: spying and hiding their identity. Even so, they have already found a great deal of information that Watchers would have rather kept to themselves, like the large number of unidentified agents that have disrupted the chain of command and have worked against the most ancient of rules: never interfere.
The Watchers have made it their priority to search for the names of those in higher ranks among the Immortal net. Unfortunately, with the works of some of us, they have grown unhappy with our presence and may even work against us. This being the case, the Watchers will, in the future, have to work hard in order to keep record of every Immortal.»
Misao closed the document she had been reading in the past hour. The disc Saitoh had given her contained thousands of pages full with information that covered the names of the Watcher working on this case and most of the names of the Immortals too. Misao had found an awful lot about the group of killers. More than she wished. It was a group of six people and their master. Apparently the Master was very old and the others were from the last century. The Watchers thought he found it easier to work with youngsters, who were more manageable and harsh headed. All the group's victims were either old or had experienced a numerous amount of awakenings. Awakening was what happened when an Immortal killed another one and received all of the dead one's experience, memories and strength. The more awakenings one had, the stronger one gets. Usually, the older are the stronger. Basically, they were after strength, but for what? Power? Over what?
The computer screen glowed in the room's darkness. Misao looked at her watch. Three a.m.. Nicolai had gone to bed hours before, while Misao read all of the disc's information and collected the important stuff. When she was getting ready to turn the computer off, Misao remembered something. She knew who was the man in charge in Kyoto, but who was the one in Tokyo? Misao looked to her side and saw the phone lying there. Well, the worst she could do was wake Saitoh up.
"Yes?" A very pissed off Saitoh asked on the other end of the line. Misao could listen to some moaning in the back and a voice asking who was it. Apparently Saitoh had been playing with someone. Misao smiled at that.
"I'm sorry, Saitoh, did I interrupted something?" She said, with a very innocent voice.
"Yes, you fucking did!" He barked.
"Hum… yes, it appears the fucking part is essential, doesn't it?" Misao teased. "I just need some information and I'll let you go back to your pumping." Misao could hear the female in the back, still moaning and screaming, while Saitoh snarled at her.
"Then ask quickly, I've got better things to do then talk to weasels at three a.m.."
"Who is the commander in Tokyo?"
"Nani? You interrupted me to ask that crap? You have got to be kidding!" Saitoh yelled. "Look, I don't know his name, we communicate, but we don't have dinner together, okay? Now, bye."
Saitoh slammed the phone and Misao got stuck hearing the bip… bip…
"Jerk."
She hung up the phone and turned back to the computer, where it was now flashing a sign. «You've got mail!» Misao opened the window to see it. Who could it be? No one knew she was staying in that house, besides Saitoh and Nicolai. One was having sex and the other was sleeping. Who could know her online address?
«Misao,
It has come to my attention that you are back in Japan. I find that very interesting, since I know you'd rather kill yourself than come back here. So, why did you? I believe you are staying in Kyoto. Have you visited the Aoiya or even your friends' graves? I would love to see your face. It is a pleasure I haven't been granted for a long time, Misao.
You must excuse my secrecy, but I cannot give you my name. I'm sure you'll find out when the time comes.
Ja!»
Misao looked at the top of the screen and an address with numbers and some letters appeared. Whoever had sent that message wanted a reply. Misao clicked on the button and started writing.
«Mr. Incognito,
I would appreciate if you'd give yourself a name. Apparently you know me pretty well, but I don't have a clue as to who you are. I'm indeed in Japan. How did you know that? And how do you know about my dislike of Japan?
Please reply.
Misao.»
Misao clicked on the «Send» button and waited for a reply. The cursor just stood there, the screen glowing it's light into the room, as Misao waited for the reply. And, after five minutes, she got one.
«Misao,
I've told you. I cannot say my name. As for your dislike of Japan, I had no idea. I just knew you'd do anything so you wouldn't have to come back here. But I really don't believe you hate Japan. It's such a beautiful country!
Yes, I'm proud to say I know you pretty well.
Don't bother replying, I'll close this mailbox after I send this message. So, see you.»
"What the…?"
Misao sat on her chair for ten minutes, just staring at that screen. It made no sense to her that she now had a man she didn't know sending her e- mails. How did he get that address? Misao tried to remember someone she knew that would act like that. He had said he knew her, didn't he? After some thought, Misao only came up with two men – Timon and Diego. Those two were pains in the neck, even if she hadn't seen them for ages. She had, against all she ever thought possible, grown an immense hate for those two. Could it be that those two were still in Japan, killing innocent people so they could kill them afterwards. Misao had already discovered what they had meant by 'lamb'. By killing Immortals, they got stronger. But if they killed young Immortals that didn't understand what was happening, it would be a lot easier, even if they weren't so strong as older Immortals.
She turned the computer off and was leaving the room, when a figure appeared in the darkness and, with it, that mixture of feelings and a sudden dizziness. Misao slowly raised her hand to the hilt of her sword, which was always close by. She felt her fingertips touch the cold surface, when the figure suddenly moved behind her and pushed the sword away. Misao jumped back, in surprise.
"Who are you?" Misao asked, in a whisper. But the figure made no sound and continued trying to catch her, while Misao kept walking around the room, escaping him. He was tall, very tall and thin. But not the sick slim, more of a muscular slim. The figure imposed respect and a sense of dread, at the same time. He was wearing a thight black suit, that showed his muscles well. "What are you doing?"
He jumped over one sofa and tried to catch her, but Misao ran again. She looked at the sofa, but he wasn't there anymore. She was just about to turn around, searching for him, when he jumped on top of her and stabbed her in the middle of the chest. Misao felt a horrible pain in the middle of her being and suddenly her dinner came right back to her mouth, along with her blood. She still tried to fight him, while she still had the strength, but his strong arms just held her close and one of his hands was in her mouth, preventing her from screaming for help. Then Misao completely lost her sense and her eyes closed. She was dead.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"…I told you, I don't know. Now, will you please leave me alone?" A rough voice whispered. "The lady should be awake in seconds and I don't want her to see your red face here."
"Why you…!" Misao heard some heavy steps leave the room and a sigh close to her bed. Misao tried her best not to show she was already awake and opened her eyes a bit. She closed them right back, when a shiny and white light shone right into them. She opened them slowly again and observed the room she was staying in. She was laying in a large bed, dressed in a silk nightgown, with pearl silk sheets. The bed was placed in the middle of the room, with two bedside tables, with lamps over them, a large red carpet spread on the floor, an old, wood closet, a large table, where a breakfast was placed for her with the paper, and behind the table, a huge window.
"Good morning, Madam." Said a voice from behind her. Misao turned around and saw a little man, dressed in black and white, smiling at her, with an austere look. "I took the liberty of selecting a small number of delicacies for your breakfast."
"Who are you?" Misao said. When she had first awaken, during the night, she had been surprised she was still alive. She had expected that coward to kill her when she had been out. But after delight, came doubt. Why the hell had she been brought here? And where was here exactly?
"Oh. Please excuse my rudeness. I am Katsushiro Shirai and I'll be your butler for as long as the Madam remains here." He said, with a clever look in his eyes.
"Right. And where exactly is here?" Misao asked, siting in the bed. Only then did she saw the nightgown she was wearing. It was the skinniest thing she had ever set eyes on, with straps… well, she could say she was wearing a negligée. She pulled the sheets over her and looked at Shirai.
"I've got instructions not to let you know that, madam. I'm sorry."
Instructions? But from whom and why couldn't she know where she was? Misao got out of bed and ran to the window, searching for something familiar that would tell her where she was. But she found nothing, she just saw a large wooded area. The house was huge, for she could see how far it ran along and Misao saw the other side of the house through her window.
"And who gave you those orders, Shirai-san?"
"I'm sorry, madam, but I'm not allowed to reveal that information either." Shirai said, walking closer to the table behind her. "Will the madam eat breakfast or does the madam prefer something else?"
Misao turned away from the window and looked at the table. It had a large number of foods and drinks. Misao pulled a chair and sat. Shirai served her coffee, some orange juice and fetched her paper. Misao looked at the date, to see if she had been out for to many time. But it was the day she expected, the day after… the second of November. Misao sighed. Now she had only to concern herself with how she was going to escape that room.
"Am I allowed to leave the room, Shirai-san?"
"Yes, madam. A servant girl has been arranged to accompany the madam wherever she wishes to go."
So, she could leave the room, but had to have someone looking over her shoulder, watching. Misao wondered who was that man that gave everyone here orders, and if it was the same man that had attacked her the night before. She reached for a piece of toast and put some jam on it. It was peach jam, her favorite.
"Is everything to the madam's liking? Master gave specific orders to arrange everything to the madam's taste."
"Yes, everything is alright. Could you arrange me some clothes, Shirai-san? I would like to walk a little." Misao asked, looking over the paper. Shirai bowed and left the room for a while. Misao raised from the table and ran to the window, trying its lock. But it didn't open. Misao looked again out the window and saw a young man dragging a big, black horse to the stables. When Misao's eyes fell on the stables, she saw a large number of people working over there, all of them running around to their business. Shirai returned with a maid.
" Madam, I've brought you Seiko. She will help you dress. I guess the madam will find, in the closet, a number of clothes to your liking." Shirai bowed again and left the room, closing the door behind him. Misao smiled at Seiko, already planning on dragging all the information she could out of that young girl. Seiko opened the wood closet and turned to Misao.
"What would the madam prefer? A dress?" Seiko asked, with a tiny voice that trembled. It was obvious she hadn't been doing this service for a long time and was deadly afraid she would screw up something. Misao took pity for the girl and came closer to her.
"No, Seiko. I don't really like dresses. I've always been a bit of a tomboy. I always preferred pants or shorts." Misao said, trying to talk with as much calm and gentleness she could. "Look, I think I'll dress in that shirt… I've always loved blue. And you can chose the pants."
Seiko seemed to calm down a bit and, while Misao washed herself in the bathroom, she picked up a pair of gray pants that went wonderfully with the blue shirt. Misao dressed and put a pair of boots on. Seiko then made sure Misao's hair was brushed and patiently brushed it and placed it in a complicate hairdo.
"So, Seiko, how long have you been here?" Misao asked, nonchalantly.
"Oh, I don't know very well! Two or three months, I think."
"Do you like it here?" Misao asked, looking at the girl reflected in her mirror.
"Yes, yes I do. No one treats me bad here, just with respect and dignity. Shirai-san makes sure everyone is treated well, under the Master's orders. The place I served before was a house full of sick men, that walked around, stalking the servant girls all day. Some of them even got raped, can you believe that?"
"Then let rejoice you're here instead of there." Misao said, calmly. "And your Master? Is he kind to you all?"
"Oh! We rarely see him, for he never stops home. I myself have seen him one time, since I've been here." Seiko said, distracted with her work with Misao's hair.
"And how is he, Seiko?" Misao asked, trying her best not to scare the girl.
"Oh, madam. I'm sure I've never seen such a beautiful man!" Seiko heatedly answered, still brushing her hair. "He has the two most beautiful eyes I've seen on a Japanese man. I served him dinner that day he came. He doesn't talk much though. Can you believe he barely said two words in a row the entire dinner? And he had two guests!"
"I see." Misao considered asking her some more questions, but she might suspect something and she didn't appear to know much more about her Master. So, Misao choose to be silent, while Seiko finished her hairdo. When she finished, Misao turned her head and tried seeing how it was.
"The madam has a beautiful hair. I wish I could have mine like that." She said, dreamily. Misao smiled at her and raised from her seat. When Misao walked to the door, Seiko ran closer to her. "I'll be joining the madam. Shirai-san ordered me to."
Misao nodded and opened the door.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"What do you mean, she is not with you?" Nicolai asked, with a tense voice over the telephone.
"Look, partner, I'm not her nanny. I don't know what she got herself into, okay?" Saitoh harshly answered.
"Saitoh, I just looked at the floor and there's a bloodstain on it. And… yes, it's still wet." Nicolai said, with a trembling voice.
"Were you attacked yesterday?" Saitoh asked, with interest in his voice.
"No, I went to bed early. I was planning on reading that disc you gave us today, but Misao stayed up."
"I know, she called me at around three a.m.." Saitoh said, remembering what he had been doing. "So, you didn't hear a thing?"
"No, not a thing. Look I don't like how this is turning up." Nicolai said. "I was the one that got her into this mess, so if something happenes to her, I'll be really pissed."
Saitoh rolled his eyes and smirked. He hadn't like the man since he had meet him a few months ago. He had to contact him in order to get a hold of Misao, but he had never liked the look of the nice, non-violent guy attitudehe put on.
"Look, maybe she went for a walk or something. I didn't exactly run the house before you were here, so maybe that bloodstain was there before."
"But it's still wet!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Misao looked to her right. No one. Then to her left. Still no one. Misao took two steps forward and, silently, walked all the way to the end of the hall. Seiko had given her a view of the house, but had prohibited her to enter the last room on the hall. Maybe that was the Master's room.
Misao looked behind her, when she touched the doorknob. No one. Slowly, the door was opened and a dark room came into focus. Misao could only see some shadows and the outlines of some of the furniture. She walked in and closed the door behind her. She could see well enough in the dark, but it was way too dark inside the room. Misao walked to her left. BAM. She had knocked a vase down.
"Shit." Misao muttered.
"That's lack of practice, Misao." Misao felt a sudden rush of feelings and the familiar dizziness.
"Ah! Fuck!" Misao turned around, to face who ever had spoken to her. She saw a tall shadow. Just like the one the night before. She backed away a bit. "You're the motherfucker, who killed me yesterday, aren't you?" She saw the figure bend his head and look curiously at her. "What?" Misao asked, after some time. "Who are you anyway?"
"It's good to see you again, Misao." He said.
"We know each other?"
"Yes."
Misao walked closer to what seemed like a bed and moved to turn on the lamp. The figure didn't move. Misao struggled a little with the button, but then a yellow light covered the room. Then she turned. And, even though she didn't often, Misao fainted.
Ah! Ah! Ah! You'll have to wait a bit to find out. Well, who do you think killed Misao-chan? Well, you think about it, while I think when should I post the next chapter. Bye,
MaRiAnA
Crossover between RK & Highlander
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 4
«The protection net the Immortals have constructed has two centers – one in Kyoto and one in Tokyo. Most of the victims have been found in Kyoto, but a growing number of corpses have appeared in Tokyo too. It is very hard to establish the exact names of the Immortals in charge of the two centers, being that they are both specialists in what they do: spying and hiding their identity. Even so, they have already found a great deal of information that Watchers would have rather kept to themselves, like the large number of unidentified agents that have disrupted the chain of command and have worked against the most ancient of rules: never interfere.
The Watchers have made it their priority to search for the names of those in higher ranks among the Immortal net. Unfortunately, with the works of some of us, they have grown unhappy with our presence and may even work against us. This being the case, the Watchers will, in the future, have to work hard in order to keep record of every Immortal.»
Misao closed the document she had been reading in the past hour. The disc Saitoh had given her contained thousands of pages full with information that covered the names of the Watcher working on this case and most of the names of the Immortals too. Misao had found an awful lot about the group of killers. More than she wished. It was a group of six people and their master. Apparently the Master was very old and the others were from the last century. The Watchers thought he found it easier to work with youngsters, who were more manageable and harsh headed. All the group's victims were either old or had experienced a numerous amount of awakenings. Awakening was what happened when an Immortal killed another one and received all of the dead one's experience, memories and strength. The more awakenings one had, the stronger one gets. Usually, the older are the stronger. Basically, they were after strength, but for what? Power? Over what?
The computer screen glowed in the room's darkness. Misao looked at her watch. Three a.m.. Nicolai had gone to bed hours before, while Misao read all of the disc's information and collected the important stuff. When she was getting ready to turn the computer off, Misao remembered something. She knew who was the man in charge in Kyoto, but who was the one in Tokyo? Misao looked to her side and saw the phone lying there. Well, the worst she could do was wake Saitoh up.
"Yes?" A very pissed off Saitoh asked on the other end of the line. Misao could listen to some moaning in the back and a voice asking who was it. Apparently Saitoh had been playing with someone. Misao smiled at that.
"I'm sorry, Saitoh, did I interrupted something?" She said, with a very innocent voice.
"Yes, you fucking did!" He barked.
"Hum… yes, it appears the fucking part is essential, doesn't it?" Misao teased. "I just need some information and I'll let you go back to your pumping." Misao could hear the female in the back, still moaning and screaming, while Saitoh snarled at her.
"Then ask quickly, I've got better things to do then talk to weasels at three a.m.."
"Who is the commander in Tokyo?"
"Nani? You interrupted me to ask that crap? You have got to be kidding!" Saitoh yelled. "Look, I don't know his name, we communicate, but we don't have dinner together, okay? Now, bye."
Saitoh slammed the phone and Misao got stuck hearing the bip… bip…
"Jerk."
She hung up the phone and turned back to the computer, where it was now flashing a sign. «You've got mail!» Misao opened the window to see it. Who could it be? No one knew she was staying in that house, besides Saitoh and Nicolai. One was having sex and the other was sleeping. Who could know her online address?
«Misao,
It has come to my attention that you are back in Japan. I find that very interesting, since I know you'd rather kill yourself than come back here. So, why did you? I believe you are staying in Kyoto. Have you visited the Aoiya or even your friends' graves? I would love to see your face. It is a pleasure I haven't been granted for a long time, Misao.
You must excuse my secrecy, but I cannot give you my name. I'm sure you'll find out when the time comes.
Ja!»
Misao looked at the top of the screen and an address with numbers and some letters appeared. Whoever had sent that message wanted a reply. Misao clicked on the button and started writing.
«Mr. Incognito,
I would appreciate if you'd give yourself a name. Apparently you know me pretty well, but I don't have a clue as to who you are. I'm indeed in Japan. How did you know that? And how do you know about my dislike of Japan?
Please reply.
Misao.»
Misao clicked on the «Send» button and waited for a reply. The cursor just stood there, the screen glowing it's light into the room, as Misao waited for the reply. And, after five minutes, she got one.
«Misao,
I've told you. I cannot say my name. As for your dislike of Japan, I had no idea. I just knew you'd do anything so you wouldn't have to come back here. But I really don't believe you hate Japan. It's such a beautiful country!
Yes, I'm proud to say I know you pretty well.
Don't bother replying, I'll close this mailbox after I send this message. So, see you.»
"What the…?"
Misao sat on her chair for ten minutes, just staring at that screen. It made no sense to her that she now had a man she didn't know sending her e- mails. How did he get that address? Misao tried to remember someone she knew that would act like that. He had said he knew her, didn't he? After some thought, Misao only came up with two men – Timon and Diego. Those two were pains in the neck, even if she hadn't seen them for ages. She had, against all she ever thought possible, grown an immense hate for those two. Could it be that those two were still in Japan, killing innocent people so they could kill them afterwards. Misao had already discovered what they had meant by 'lamb'. By killing Immortals, they got stronger. But if they killed young Immortals that didn't understand what was happening, it would be a lot easier, even if they weren't so strong as older Immortals.
She turned the computer off and was leaving the room, when a figure appeared in the darkness and, with it, that mixture of feelings and a sudden dizziness. Misao slowly raised her hand to the hilt of her sword, which was always close by. She felt her fingertips touch the cold surface, when the figure suddenly moved behind her and pushed the sword away. Misao jumped back, in surprise.
"Who are you?" Misao asked, in a whisper. But the figure made no sound and continued trying to catch her, while Misao kept walking around the room, escaping him. He was tall, very tall and thin. But not the sick slim, more of a muscular slim. The figure imposed respect and a sense of dread, at the same time. He was wearing a thight black suit, that showed his muscles well. "What are you doing?"
He jumped over one sofa and tried to catch her, but Misao ran again. She looked at the sofa, but he wasn't there anymore. She was just about to turn around, searching for him, when he jumped on top of her and stabbed her in the middle of the chest. Misao felt a horrible pain in the middle of her being and suddenly her dinner came right back to her mouth, along with her blood. She still tried to fight him, while she still had the strength, but his strong arms just held her close and one of his hands was in her mouth, preventing her from screaming for help. Then Misao completely lost her sense and her eyes closed. She was dead.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"…I told you, I don't know. Now, will you please leave me alone?" A rough voice whispered. "The lady should be awake in seconds and I don't want her to see your red face here."
"Why you…!" Misao heard some heavy steps leave the room and a sigh close to her bed. Misao tried her best not to show she was already awake and opened her eyes a bit. She closed them right back, when a shiny and white light shone right into them. She opened them slowly again and observed the room she was staying in. She was laying in a large bed, dressed in a silk nightgown, with pearl silk sheets. The bed was placed in the middle of the room, with two bedside tables, with lamps over them, a large red carpet spread on the floor, an old, wood closet, a large table, where a breakfast was placed for her with the paper, and behind the table, a huge window.
"Good morning, Madam." Said a voice from behind her. Misao turned around and saw a little man, dressed in black and white, smiling at her, with an austere look. "I took the liberty of selecting a small number of delicacies for your breakfast."
"Who are you?" Misao said. When she had first awaken, during the night, she had been surprised she was still alive. She had expected that coward to kill her when she had been out. But after delight, came doubt. Why the hell had she been brought here? And where was here exactly?
"Oh. Please excuse my rudeness. I am Katsushiro Shirai and I'll be your butler for as long as the Madam remains here." He said, with a clever look in his eyes.
"Right. And where exactly is here?" Misao asked, siting in the bed. Only then did she saw the nightgown she was wearing. It was the skinniest thing she had ever set eyes on, with straps… well, she could say she was wearing a negligée. She pulled the sheets over her and looked at Shirai.
"I've got instructions not to let you know that, madam. I'm sorry."
Instructions? But from whom and why couldn't she know where she was? Misao got out of bed and ran to the window, searching for something familiar that would tell her where she was. But she found nothing, she just saw a large wooded area. The house was huge, for she could see how far it ran along and Misao saw the other side of the house through her window.
"And who gave you those orders, Shirai-san?"
"I'm sorry, madam, but I'm not allowed to reveal that information either." Shirai said, walking closer to the table behind her. "Will the madam eat breakfast or does the madam prefer something else?"
Misao turned away from the window and looked at the table. It had a large number of foods and drinks. Misao pulled a chair and sat. Shirai served her coffee, some orange juice and fetched her paper. Misao looked at the date, to see if she had been out for to many time. But it was the day she expected, the day after… the second of November. Misao sighed. Now she had only to concern herself with how she was going to escape that room.
"Am I allowed to leave the room, Shirai-san?"
"Yes, madam. A servant girl has been arranged to accompany the madam wherever she wishes to go."
So, she could leave the room, but had to have someone looking over her shoulder, watching. Misao wondered who was that man that gave everyone here orders, and if it was the same man that had attacked her the night before. She reached for a piece of toast and put some jam on it. It was peach jam, her favorite.
"Is everything to the madam's liking? Master gave specific orders to arrange everything to the madam's taste."
"Yes, everything is alright. Could you arrange me some clothes, Shirai-san? I would like to walk a little." Misao asked, looking over the paper. Shirai bowed and left the room for a while. Misao raised from the table and ran to the window, trying its lock. But it didn't open. Misao looked again out the window and saw a young man dragging a big, black horse to the stables. When Misao's eyes fell on the stables, she saw a large number of people working over there, all of them running around to their business. Shirai returned with a maid.
" Madam, I've brought you Seiko. She will help you dress. I guess the madam will find, in the closet, a number of clothes to your liking." Shirai bowed again and left the room, closing the door behind him. Misao smiled at Seiko, already planning on dragging all the information she could out of that young girl. Seiko opened the wood closet and turned to Misao.
"What would the madam prefer? A dress?" Seiko asked, with a tiny voice that trembled. It was obvious she hadn't been doing this service for a long time and was deadly afraid she would screw up something. Misao took pity for the girl and came closer to her.
"No, Seiko. I don't really like dresses. I've always been a bit of a tomboy. I always preferred pants or shorts." Misao said, trying to talk with as much calm and gentleness she could. "Look, I think I'll dress in that shirt… I've always loved blue. And you can chose the pants."
Seiko seemed to calm down a bit and, while Misao washed herself in the bathroom, she picked up a pair of gray pants that went wonderfully with the blue shirt. Misao dressed and put a pair of boots on. Seiko then made sure Misao's hair was brushed and patiently brushed it and placed it in a complicate hairdo.
"So, Seiko, how long have you been here?" Misao asked, nonchalantly.
"Oh, I don't know very well! Two or three months, I think."
"Do you like it here?" Misao asked, looking at the girl reflected in her mirror.
"Yes, yes I do. No one treats me bad here, just with respect and dignity. Shirai-san makes sure everyone is treated well, under the Master's orders. The place I served before was a house full of sick men, that walked around, stalking the servant girls all day. Some of them even got raped, can you believe that?"
"Then let rejoice you're here instead of there." Misao said, calmly. "And your Master? Is he kind to you all?"
"Oh! We rarely see him, for he never stops home. I myself have seen him one time, since I've been here." Seiko said, distracted with her work with Misao's hair.
"And how is he, Seiko?" Misao asked, trying her best not to scare the girl.
"Oh, madam. I'm sure I've never seen such a beautiful man!" Seiko heatedly answered, still brushing her hair. "He has the two most beautiful eyes I've seen on a Japanese man. I served him dinner that day he came. He doesn't talk much though. Can you believe he barely said two words in a row the entire dinner? And he had two guests!"
"I see." Misao considered asking her some more questions, but she might suspect something and she didn't appear to know much more about her Master. So, Misao choose to be silent, while Seiko finished her hairdo. When she finished, Misao turned her head and tried seeing how it was.
"The madam has a beautiful hair. I wish I could have mine like that." She said, dreamily. Misao smiled at her and raised from her seat. When Misao walked to the door, Seiko ran closer to her. "I'll be joining the madam. Shirai-san ordered me to."
Misao nodded and opened the door.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"What do you mean, she is not with you?" Nicolai asked, with a tense voice over the telephone.
"Look, partner, I'm not her nanny. I don't know what she got herself into, okay?" Saitoh harshly answered.
"Saitoh, I just looked at the floor and there's a bloodstain on it. And… yes, it's still wet." Nicolai said, with a trembling voice.
"Were you attacked yesterday?" Saitoh asked, with interest in his voice.
"No, I went to bed early. I was planning on reading that disc you gave us today, but Misao stayed up."
"I know, she called me at around three a.m.." Saitoh said, remembering what he had been doing. "So, you didn't hear a thing?"
"No, not a thing. Look I don't like how this is turning up." Nicolai said. "I was the one that got her into this mess, so if something happenes to her, I'll be really pissed."
Saitoh rolled his eyes and smirked. He hadn't like the man since he had meet him a few months ago. He had to contact him in order to get a hold of Misao, but he had never liked the look of the nice, non-violent guy attitudehe put on.
"Look, maybe she went for a walk or something. I didn't exactly run the house before you were here, so maybe that bloodstain was there before."
"But it's still wet!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Misao looked to her right. No one. Then to her left. Still no one. Misao took two steps forward and, silently, walked all the way to the end of the hall. Seiko had given her a view of the house, but had prohibited her to enter the last room on the hall. Maybe that was the Master's room.
Misao looked behind her, when she touched the doorknob. No one. Slowly, the door was opened and a dark room came into focus. Misao could only see some shadows and the outlines of some of the furniture. She walked in and closed the door behind her. She could see well enough in the dark, but it was way too dark inside the room. Misao walked to her left. BAM. She had knocked a vase down.
"Shit." Misao muttered.
"That's lack of practice, Misao." Misao felt a sudden rush of feelings and the familiar dizziness.
"Ah! Fuck!" Misao turned around, to face who ever had spoken to her. She saw a tall shadow. Just like the one the night before. She backed away a bit. "You're the motherfucker, who killed me yesterday, aren't you?" She saw the figure bend his head and look curiously at her. "What?" Misao asked, after some time. "Who are you anyway?"
"It's good to see you again, Misao." He said.
"We know each other?"
"Yes."
Misao walked closer to what seemed like a bed and moved to turn on the lamp. The figure didn't move. Misao struggled a little with the button, but then a yellow light covered the room. Then she turned. And, even though she didn't often, Misao fainted.
Ah! Ah! Ah! You'll have to wait a bit to find out. Well, who do you think killed Misao-chan? Well, you think about it, while I think when should I post the next chapter. Bye,
MaRiAnA