-Chapter 3-
"We've solved another case, Master." A girl with a bright red braid and a half mask on her face kneeled in front of a shadowed figure. Two boys, also masked, kneeled behind her.
"Good." The shadowy figure said. He then turned to one of the boys, this one with duller browner red hair than the girl. "How does your research on Spica go, Altair?"
"It seems that Spica hasn't been seen for a goodsixteen years." Altair replied.
"We'll just have to coax her out of retirement then, huh my children?" The three bowed their heads.
"Of course, master." They answered in sync.
I sat in my seat boredly listening to Mr. Mizuno talk about the wonders of ellipses. My best friend Maki Umida was snoring slightly beside me.
I know she expected me to take notes for the both of us but my mind kept wandering. You couldn't blame me though. My mind was bound to wander after last night's revelation. I mean, come on, it's not everyday you learn you're going to be a famous crimefighter...
"Ko..tori..." My mother said dumbly. She must have forgotten in her rage that I was still there.
"What?" I cried louder. What did she mean become Spica? Mom's face contorted from a guilty expression to a determined one.
"Kotori you must inheirit the job of-" She was cut off my Dad's hand clamping over her mouth.
"Lili! I told you where I stood on this years ago, and I haven't moved yet." Dad said sternly. Mom tensed up for a second and looked like she was going to bite his hand off but then she calmed down. Dad's hand slipped from her mouth, surprised at her sudden calmness.
"Hiro..." She started looking up at Dad. I'd never seen my mother so calm outside of her reading room before. "It's our fate. It was my mother's, it was mine, and now it's Kotori's... It's our fate to carry the star ring and become Spica." My father looked at the floor guiltily.
"I know Lili.. I just don't want my baby to get hurt like you did." Mom smiled up at him.
"Ya know Mom left me her Sirius costume," She started nonchalantly, "I can keep her safe until she's mastered the star ring." My father looked at Mom, and then me. He then sighed.
"Fine." I took a step toward my parents. I had been quiet during the fight, but now I was feeling a bit ignored.
"Um... Can you explain this to me, please?" My parents whipped their heads at me. My mother sweatdropped.
"Oh. Kotori. Forgot you were here again." My Dad sweatdropped when she said that, and patted Mom sympathetically on the back.
"Can you explain to me what you mean about me being Spica?" I repeated once again. My Dad sighed a bit discontented, but said nothing. Mom shot him an amused glance as he snuck out of the room.
She plopped back down on the couch and patted the spot beside her. I walked across the crinkling newspaper and joined her. She took my left hand and slipped a ring on to my middle finger. I recongnized the star design, it was the ring Mom always wore. I looked up confused.
"This is the star ring. It's been passed down for generations among my family. With it you can become Spica, Zodiac P.I.." My mother stated. I stared at her in bewilderment.
Mom had then explained what it meant to be Spica to me. It was all hard to take in. I mean come on! My mother solving crimes? She was hardly able to pass High School, let alone solve mysteries. Then again she did have Dad to help her, as she explained to me.
I stared at the ring on my left hand. I wasn't one for jewelry usually. I wouldn't even get my ears pierced. The star ring, however, it seemed to belong there, on my hand. As if it was made for me.
"Ms. Oikawa." I jumped, startled.
"Yes?" I replied looking up nervouslyat my teacher.
"It will do you good to listen in class and take notes, rather than daydream and admire jewelry." I blushed and sank into my seat.
"Yes, sir." Mr. Mizuno went back to teaching. I heard a snicker beside me. I turned and saw it was Maki. I glared at her but her eyes still laughed at me. And it probably was rather humorous on her end considering she was usually the one getting caught. Well at least I wasn't sleeping, I couldn't use a detention right now. It would give stupid Nami another reason to critizise me.
Nami...
Nami Takura considered herself my rival. Her reason? Because her family owned a fortune telling shop, as did mine. Of course my Mom and I went about using Astrology, while hers used Tarot Cards. Normally I wouldn't mind too much at someone thinking this, but Nami was a mean spirited girl and she liked to bully me. Not to mention she's one of the more popular kids in my grade.
I sighed and let my mind wander back to my notes. The notebook paper in front of me was covered in little doodles. Turning it over I started copying some last minute notes from the board. Didn't want to fail math now did I?
Authors Note: Here's Chapter 3! I know the chapters are unbelievably short but I'm working on making them longer(this one's about 1000 words). It's funny because I've never quite had this problem (thinks of fictionpress story with chapters averaging in 2000 words) Oh well that's just how the ball rolls.
Also note:(spoiler for those who haven't read manga)When Hiromi(Kotori's dad) says that he doesn't want Kotori hurt like Lili was, he is referring to an event that happened in Book 3 where Lili almost died in a burning building.
Hehehe Maki's named after someone and I believe Fuyuko-chan knows who -smiles-.
Fuyuko-chan: All bow down to the great Fuyuko-chan! Gravi Fanfic Writer Extrodinare! hehe
My style's improved? Really? Yah I think so too. I think it has a lot to do with the Creative Writing class we took. I still keep things I learned there in mind when I write. And I know from other stories, the ones I've written on fictionpress, what my weaknesses were (-coughsettingdescriptcough-).
Anyway thanks for the review! I'll go review your story now -smiles-
Yasu-chan!
