Author's note:
Chapter 2 is finally up. Thanks for your lovely support and I hope all of you will like my story!
Please review! Thanks!
PS: No FLAMERS allowed!
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Mizu no Sennto
By: IronyV
Chapter 2: Dinner
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At the ending of the previous chapter,
"Tadaima! Minna-san, has everything been okay since we've left?"
Kyo, Bontenmaru and Muramasa had come back from their short trip.
'Ohhhhh...noooo!' Akari and Akira thought at the same time. Hotaru blinked and sighed slightly.
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--
Akari, Akira and Hotaru looked at each other desperately.
"What are we going to do? If we tell Muramasa-san that his sword was stolen, we will be killed!" hissed Akari worriedly.
"Okay, here's the plan, we shall not say anything about the sword. But if Muramasa-san finds out, someone will need to confess," mumbled Akira. "And that someone...shall be..." Akira looked at both Akari and Hotaru.
"Hotaru!"
There is a momentarily silence. (Well, except for the sound of footsteps heard around the house)
"Matte...why is it me who will be the one confessing? I am not the one who lost the sword!" whispered an indignant Hotaru.
"Hmm...well, it is you who did not keep a closer watch on that young man and it is you who have let that young man escape. Who will be a better confessor than you?" Akari sneered quietly.
"Demo...I am not the only one being negligent here. Remember both of you were--"
"Ah, Minna-san, here you are." Muramasa walked in slowly and smiled. "I have been looking all over for you in this house."
The three young elves froze when they heard the familiar voice.
"Ah...haha...Muramasa-san...okaeri!" Akari turned and managed to smile at Muramasa.
"Uh...okaeri, Muramasa-san, are you tired from the trip? How about getting a cup of nice hot tea for you?" Akira said, while smiling uncomfortably at Muramasa.
"How thoughtful of you, Akira." Muramasa continued. "Sure, I would like to have a good cup of tea."
"Right. I shall proceed to make a good cup of tea for you." Akira smiled forcedly and quickly walked away to the kitchen.
Akari realised what Akira was trying to do.
"Ne Muramasa-san, how about a nice hot water basin for you tired legs?" Akari asked.
"Certainly Akari-chan, that is nice of you to offer that." Muramasa smiled happily.
Akari immediately walked off to the bathroom.
Only Hotaru and Muramasa were left in the swords gallery room. Hotaru was looking at the swords in the room, humming yet another elfish tune. There was a long silence in the room, but footsteps and muffled conversations could be heard elsewhere. Just then, Akari came back with the hot water basin, and Akira came back with the cup of hot tea.
"Muramasa-san, here is your nice hot water basin for you tired legs!"
"And your good cup of hot tea!"
Muramasa smiled.
"Thank you very much Akari-chan and Akira." He continued, "However, there is something that you are hiding from me. And I have the right to believe that, do I?" At which, Muramasa pointed his finger to his head.
Hotaru, Akari and Akira looked at Muramasa uneasily. Then Akari spoke.
"Soka...we have forgotten about Muramasa-san's ability. Gomen-ne...we have been careless and your precious sword had been stolen as a result."
Muramasa smiled and patted Akari's head.
"Daijoubu Akari-chan, I do not have any intention to tell you off. But I hope that all of you will learn to be more alert and cautious in the future. You are not in Elvindar now, thus you have to be careful at all times. Wakarimasu ka?"
All three young elves nodded in agreement.
"However, for dinner..." Muramasa smiled. Upon hearing that, Akari, Akira and Hotaru tensed up, and quickly looked at Muramasa with cute puppy-like eyes.
"Why don't you cook for me today instead?" Muramasa grinned.
Akari, Akira and Hotaru felt immediate relief and bowed to Muramasa at once.
"Haii! We will ensure Muramasa-san have a hearty dinner today!" And they ran off to the kitchen.
Muramasa smiled and walked to the restroom.
'Let's hope they won't mess up my kitchen.' He thought.
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Two hours later...
The five young elves are scattered around the dining area. By the looks of the empty dishes on the dining table, the three younger elves did make a good meal. Kyo started smoking his pipe quietly and had done a good job at ignoring Akari, who was drunk and attempting to seduce Kyo. Bontenmaru was sitting lazily on the floor, drinking hot sake from a cup. While Hotaru was gazing out of the window, Akira had made himself comfortable at a corner of the room, reading the guide that Muramasa had given to them.
Just then, Muramasa walked into the dining area and slowly sat down beside Kyo.
"I must say that though the miso soup was really good, it did have an awful effect on my sensitive stomach."
Akira looked at Muramasa apologetically. Hotaru turned around and looked at Muramasa.
"Gomen-ne Muramasa-san. I believe we have added in too much flavorings in the soup." Akira said. "We have somewhat forgotten how sensitive your stomach was."
"It is okay Akira, I am fine. I had already...emptied my stomach." Muramasa smiled.
"DAI-joubu Muramasa-san! I can whip up an-OTH-er dish for YOU!" All looked at Akari, who was jumping up and down wildly. "IT will be the BEST you've ever EATEN! AHAHAHA!" And with that last sentence, she fell flat on the ground.
Akira rushed over to Akari and grinned upon reaching her. "She is alright. Just fallen asleep that's all."
Bontenmaru laughed out loudly and drank even more sake. Hotaru and Akira grinned devilishly at Akari's sleeping face and were about to make some 'pretty' markings on her face when Muramasa coughed slightly.
"I was actually intending to have a discussion on the progress of the mission. However, Akari has been knocked drunk."
Akira suddenly looked up and asked, "Ne, Muramasa-san, where did the three of you go today?"
"Well, at least we are out there doing something serious, and that excludes losing a precious sword." Bontenmaru sneered and chuckled. Unfortunate for him, he was surrounded immediately by an icy aura and instantly froze him.
"Are you planning for an early death?" Akira stared icily.
"Stop playing Akira, we need to carry on with the discussion" Hotaru said quietly.
"Playing! Wha-" Akira was about to rebuke Hotaru when Muramasa coughed loudly. He stared at Hotaru angrily and sat down. There was a slight silence, with occasional muffled sounds made by Bontenmaru who was still stuck in the ice.
"As questioned, we went out to look for job opportunities near the head quarters. Most of the jobs that we have found are very service-oriented, and I do not encourage them to take these jobs." Muramasa said, breaking the stoned silence. "However, if we still can't get a proper job for Kyo and Bonten within the next two to three days, we won't be able to generate enough information for the next monthly report."
Akira nodded in response. Hotaru looked at Muramasa seriously and asked, "Speaking of finding jobs for Kyo-san and Bonten, what about our schooling mission? Have you found the school that we can enroll in?"
Muramasa nodded. "Yes, this is another issue that I would like to speak with all of you. I have chosen a school called Gakugeikan High School. I have checked and found that a few of the students in this school are children of employees working in the head quarters. You must befriend them and hopefully obtain information from these children." Muramasa paused and drank some tea. "I have enrolled all three of you into the school. However, as Akira looked younger, he would be a grade behind Akari-chan and Hotaru."
Akira stood up immediately but before he could say anything, Muramasa interrupted. "I knew you would object to this decision, but one of the employee's child is a year behind the other children. That is why I am sending you a grade behind to befriend this child."
There is a short silence. Akira frowned but sat down silently. "Wakata, Muramasa-san. I shall follow your decision."
Muramasa smiled and continued, "Now, back to Bonten and Kyo. I shall help to look for any other job opportunities for both of you tomorrow. If I still can't find a job for you, we will have to stick to the service-oriented jobs that we've found. And I will need to train both of you up for those jobs."
Kyo and Bontenmaru (who had since broke out from the ice) frowned at the thought of serving humans. 'I would rather die than serve those mediocre humans!' Both thought at once. Muramasa sighed and drank from his teacup. "Hai...hai, I shall try to find a job that is not service-oriented. But no promise yet," said Muramasa resignedly.
"Muramasa-san, if you are going out to look for jobs, what will we be doing then? Do we stay at your home or follow you?" Hotaru asked.
"Neither. Tomorrow, while I am looking for more job opportunities, I would like all of you to get out of this house and tour around Tokyo." Muramasa said and passed a map to Hotaru. "Look for Gakugeikan High School and the hot tourist spots of Tokyo. You would need to know Tokyo well to be able to adapt to the environment. And I would need all of you to look for accomodation as well."
"NANI! It is only the fourth day and...and we will have to live on our own now?!" Akira exclaimed.
"Un...I would like all of you to adapt to living on Earth as soon as possible. Furthermore, my place is too far away from Gakugeikan Senior High School, thus it will be difficult for Akira, Akari-chan and Hotaru to get to school everyday." Said Muramasa calmly. "I shall set a deadline for all of you to get a place and move out of here. Hmm...how about...next Monday then."
"Eh...eh... Muramasa, isn't Monday a little early for us? It is already Friday today, thus we have only 2 days to find accommodation!?" Bontenmaru said loudly, looking awfully exasperated. Kyo smoked his pipe and scowled.
Muramasa smiled, "2 days would be sufficient to look for accommodations. Nowadays, all you need is the Internet and newspapers and you can find them easily."
Akira blinked slowly and looked at Bontenmaru, who looked very puzzled.
"Ah...I have forgotten that all of you are 'tourists' here. But fret not, just read up on chapter 20 of my Earth's guide and you will know what I am talking about," said Muramasa, chuckling loudly.
Bontenmaru laughed loudly and grinned at Akira, "Ne Akira, the job of memorizing everything in the guide shall be yours."
Akira stared at Bontenmaru and hissed, "What makes you think that I am the right person for the job, Bonten?"
"Akira, everyone here knows that you have a photogenic memory. Do us a favour and just listen to Bonten." Hotaru said with a straight face.
Akira glared at Hotaru angrily, "I am Kyo's follower, not Bonten's. I will not follow any instructions other than Kyo's."
"Are you looking for a fight Akira?" a smiling Bonten stood up and looked down at Akira. Akira stood up and glared at Bonten, his action had answered Bonten's challenge.
Hotaru stood up as well, looking at both of them with narrowed eyes. He seemed to be answering Bonten's challenge as well.
"I understand that all of you have not had a fight for the past few days, but I would not allow you to destroy my house." Muramasa said silently.
Kyo was still on the floor, smoking his pipe. He seemed to be amused and have guessed what will happen next.
The three elves were still glaring at each other, neither of them wished to back down from the anticipated challenge.
Muramasa sighed. "You leave me no choice." With a wave of his hand, the three elves suddenly fell on the floor.
"Let them rest for now and I shall release my spell in the morning." Muramasa muttered and began to clean up the dining table. He turned to look at Kyo, who was smiling slightly at the happenings in front of him.
Muramasa beamed.
"You seem happier when you are with this group of elves, Kyo."
Kyo tensed up and frowned. Muramasa continued.
"There is no need to hid it Kyo. I have been observing the group and you since all of you came, and I must say, you are in good company."
"They are my subjects, and they are to follow me wherever I go. That is all." Kyo hissed, and continued smoking his pipe
Muramasa chuckled and thought contentedly. 'This is indeed the Kyo I know.'
"Hai, hai...I shall not provoked you any further. Demo, I would like to remind you again to stop using the pipe to smoke. A young human do not smoke with a pipe."
Kyo removed his pipe, stared at Muramasa with his red-slit eyes and put his pipe back between his lips.
"I will stop...but not tonight."
Muramasa smiled and stood up slowly. He slowly strolled out of the room, taking the plates with him. Before he left, he turned around and beamed at Kyo.
"Good night, my good disciple."
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The next morning...
"Errrrrrmmmm...I think I am having a headache..." groaned Akira.
The group of elves was at the dining room, having just eaten their breakfast. Beforehand, Muramasa had removed the spell and proceeded to cook some pancakes for them. Everyone, except Akira, Bontenmaru and Hotaru enjoyed the hearty meal.
"Huhhh...I can't eat those pancakes without feeling nauseated..." mumbled Hotaru, who was leaning against the wall.
"Gomenasai, minna-san...I believe I have cast a stronger spell on all of you." Muramasa looked apologetically. "However, if I do not do that, you would have tore down my house by now."
"Hai, Hai...I can't believe the three of you would behave so childishly. Fighting over such a small thing indeed!" Akari said sarcastically and sighed audibly.
All three elves glared at Akari angrily, but felt another sear of pain in their heads.
"You...watch out Akari...you'll pay for this!" Akira hissed fiercely. He felt a sudden kick in the face and groaned in pain.
"Watch what you said, Akira-chan." Akari sneered, withdrawing her leg. "You can't even sit up straight and you want to kick my ass? Dream on!"
'Evil...EVIL!' thought Akira, Botenmaru and Hotaru simultaneously.
Muramasa chuckled. "Akari-chan, please do not tease Akira, you are a girl, remember?"
Akari gasped in shock and sat down immediately. "Hai...Hai! I am a girl, I must be feminine...feminine..." And she smiled politely at Muramasa and bowed slightly to Akira.
"Gomen Akira-chan, I did not mean to kick you." Akari said with a sickeningly sweet smile.
Akira, Bontenmaru and Hotaru sweat dropped.
'Crazy...CRAZY!' They thought simultaneously again.
Muramasa laughed loudly. Kyo grinned visibly, but when he realized Muramasa was looking at him, he looked down and frowned.
"Ano Muramasa-san, I have heard from Hotaru that we will be looking for accommodation today," said Akari. "But...do we have to find it by today? Afterall, we did not even get to tour around Tokyo in the first place?"
Muramasa nodded. "I understand that all of you haven't gotten the chance to explore Tokyo. But exploring can be done on any other day. We would need to prioritize and ensure that your mission is in the right track. Thus, it is necessary that by Monday, you will be in your own apartment."
Akari sighed audibly and lay back on the floor. "Un, Wakarimasen na... I really wish we can tour Tokyo today..."
Bontenmaru laughed slightly and ruffled Akari's hair. "Akari, we can still explore Tokyo while looking for accommodation. Daijyobu!"
"Un, what Bonten said is correct. We can still explore while looking for accommodation," Hotaru said.
"Well, since it is already 10am, we should get going." Akira said while standing up.
"Un... lets meet outside Muramasa's house in 10 minute's time." Hotaru uttered.
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In the garden outside Muramasa's house...
Akari slowly walks out of the main door, adjusting the clip on her hair. She looked up and saw the rest of the elves at the garden.
"Hai! Ishyo ni ikimashyo!" Akari chirped and hopped out of the house.
"Akari, you are late for 15 minutes! What exactly are you doing up there?" Akira yelled, folding his arms across his chest. "And.... what's with your outfit!?"
Akari was decked in a pink off-shoulder long sleeved top and a black ultra mini-skirt.
"Wh-what? There is nothing wrong with my dressing." Akari commented. "I think this is alright!"
"But....but the skirt! It's very short!" Akira exclaimed.
"Well, this is the current trend now, so...there's nothing I can do about it" Akari shrugged and walked off. Her skirt threatened to move an inch higher with her every step.
Akira raised an eyebrow but started walking behind her. The others followed.
As they reached a junction, Muramasa stopped.
"I will be going in that direction," Muramasa pointed to the left of the junction. " The train station is on the right side. Just walk straight and you will reach there."
The young elves nodded and they parted.
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At the train station...
"Finally...we've reached." Hotaru said. The five elves are now standing in front of the station's control room.
"Baka Muramasa," Bontenmaru hissed. "It actually took us a bloody 30 minutes before we reached here..."
"Well, if it wasn't for Akari who stalled us with her nonsensical sight-seeing, we would probably be here in 10 minutes time." Akira sneered.
Ignoring Akira, Akari walked over to the ticket booths.
"This booth contains the tickets to board the train," Akari uttered. "But...how do we get it out?"
Akira looked at the complicated booth machine and frowned.
"What strange object do they have here..." He pressed a few buttons to test out, but nothing came out.
Bontenmaru laughed and pushed Akira aside.
"Don't be a gentle girl Akira, a punch will do the trick!" He was about to punch out when Hotaru stopped him.
"I think I know how this works" He took out a few coins and slotted them into a small slot. The machine made a few mechanical noises before a small card dropped out of the empty hole at the bottom of the machine.
Akari, Akira and Bontenmaru gaped while he walked off nonchalantly.
Kyo smiled slightly and proceed to do the same. The shocked elves immediately gained back their momentum and did the same.
"Alright, we are in." Kyo said.
The five elves stared blankly in the front. There are people everywhere, walking to and fro the station. There was simply no order at all.
Akira stared at the numerous signboards and gave a strangled sob.
"Now what?"
To be continued...