Okay every one, next chapter fresh outta the oven!
Standard disclaimer applies.
Kaoru sighed as she put the last of her things into her suitcase. Tears slipped from her pain-filled eyes as she took some money from her "secret stash" and shrugged on her jacket.
"I'm going out Papa!" She called as she closed the front door behind her.
She released a heavy sigh, looking up at the night sky sprinkled with stars. She shook her head. Father was the only close family she had left, how would she deal with his impending death? She watched her feet as she shuffled along the quiet streets of Tokyo, feeling more miserable than ever. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the figure behind her, following her every step at a distance.
She looked up several minutes later, hoping she hadn't passed it... She glanced around at the store fronts. Ahh, there it was. Chin held high, eyes glittering with determination; she opened the door and walked in.
"Can I help you miss?" asked the man behind the counter.
"Yes, I'd like to purchase some sake please." She said, superiority in her voice.
The man nodded and headed towards the back. A few moments later he returned with a single bottle of name brand sake.
"Just one?" He asked.
"Yes." She replied, pulling the cash from her pocket. 'He must think I'm awfully strange...' she thought uncomfortably.
After paying for her purchase she exited the store, heading for home. She did not see a figure in the shadows across the street, a single lock of red protruding into the light cast by the street lamp.
Kaoru's trip home was uneventful, and she brought the sake into her father's room.
"Here you are, Papa. I bought you some sake like you asked." She said, mustering up the best available smile.
"Thank you Kao-chan. This means a lot to me." He said, returning her feeble smile with a much truer one.
Kaoru nodded and bowed gracefully as she exited.
"Goodnight Papa."
"You're WHAT?"
"Shhh... Misao quiet down! I don't want this to get out to any one else. I mean.. I'd just feel weird."
"Kaoru... You're moving in with your uncle tonight? And you're father is still-"
"I know... I didn't like the idea either. But I have to. My father I guess will feel more at ease. Maybe it'll help him." Kaoru glanced around at all of the students sitting at tables and merrily chatting and eating away.
"Look Kaoru..." Misao leaned in a bit, patting her friend on the shoulder, "No matter what happens, if you ever need me, you know where to find me."
"Thank you Misao. I might need that comfort later on. I've never even met this uncle of mine... I wonder what he's like."
"I'll bet he's like your father. I mean, something's got to run in the family, right?" Misao gave her a wink.
"I hope so..."
"Kaoru!"
Kaoru looked up to see Enishi plop himself down next to her.
"Hi." Kaoru smiled.
"Hello. I know this is a little sudden, but I'd like to know if you'd go to the movies with me." He said with a hopeful grin.
"Tonight?"
"Whenever you're free. It doesn't have to be tonight, but maybe sometime this week?"
"Sure, I'd love to." Kaoru said, flashing him a brilliant smile. "I guess Wednesday night is good."
He smiled in return and gave her a quick wink. "Wednesday it is then. Seven-thirty?"
Kaoru nodded. "Seven-thirty."
Enishi then got up from the table, heading towards the door. "Nice to see you again, Misao." He threw back over his shoulder with another smile.
"Neh." She grunted as she nodded towards him.
Kaoru shook her head. "I dunno Misao… I'm kind of nervous. I hate to leave the place where I grew up."
Misao nodded as she observed her best friend's features. She wished there was something she could do to bring hope to Kaoru's downcast eyes. Just then the bell rang, signifying the end of the lunch period.
Kaoru made it through the rest of the day and was soon at home, making sure she had everything and saying goodbye to her father.
"Goodbye papa!" She cried as she threw her arms around him.
"We will meet again, my Kao-chan. Whether in this life or in heaven, we will meet again." He said, patting her head softly. "Until then, you must be strong. For me, and for your mother."
"I will." She promised, regaining her composure and sitting up.
The doorbell decided to take that moment to ring.
Kaoru sighed heavily and calmed her trembling arms before opening the door.
"You must be Kaoru." Offered a deep, gruff voice.
Kaoru looked into the somber face of her uncle. His short, black hair was slicked back and his black eyes looked no more excited to see her than a child was to see broccoli on his plate. His thin lips were pressed into a straight line, and without a word he passed her and entered into their humble abode. She raised and eyebrow and shut the door, then followed his black tweed-suited figure into the room of her father.
"Keitaro." He said, rather unemotionally.
"Ginko." Was the reply, her father smiling graciously.
"Your nurse will be here in half an hour. No need to worry about the girl." With these two statements he turned and motioned for Kaoru to follow.
"Goodbye papa. I'll see you again." She forced herself to smile.
"Goodbye my lovely Kao-Chan. Be strong." He reminded.
She nodded and turned to follow the silent relative. Once out the door he turned and pointed to the trunk of an awaiting limo and waited for the chauffer to open it. When he did, Kaoru put her things neatly in, and, smiling, climbed into the back seat.
The car ride was unusually silent, Kaoru not being able to think of anything to say, and Ginko clearly not wanting to.
"This is where you will be living from now on." He said, his voice void of emotion.
Kaoru looked out the window to find a huge stone mansion staring right back at her as the car came to a gentle stop
"It's magnificent!" Kaoru exclaimed, never having the opportunity to be this close to something so elegant.
She stepped out of the car as soon as the chauffer opened the door, and looked back at the driveway. It must have been a mile long! Her attention was drawn back to her new home, and she found herself admiring the spiraling towers and castle-like look of the place.
"Just like a fairy tale…" She murmured, quite pleased.
"Hurry now."
She immediately began to follow her uncle up the walk at a fast-clipped pace.
"Thank you so much for taking me in, Uncle Ginko. It means a lot to father and me."
He grunted in what she supposed was a 'you're welcome' and a butler opened the front door.
"Welcome home." The elderly man said, his kind eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.
Kaoru gave him a brilliant smile. This man was so warm and inviting, she was sure he would become a close friend. He nodded and took her belongings from the chauffer.
"Allow me to show you to your room."
Kaoru nodded and looked back towards her Uncle, but he was already out of sight. She shook her head and followed the butler up a flight of curved stairs and onto a balcony over looking the entryway. From there she was lead down a long hallway and to a room at the very end.
"This is your very own suite." The butler said, opening the door in a semi-dramatic fashion.
Kaoru gasped. Never had she seen such beauty and elegance in a room before. The floor was covered with a rich, cream carpet, and there were cream colored curtains sprinkled with roses in full bloom. The bedspread matched the curtains, and the oak dresser and furniture added to the theme quite nicely. As she walked in she found the room to be very spacious, it must have been at least twenty-five feet in both length and width. Her bedroom at home had been a small 7'x10' room that felt like an office cubicle. Her eyes were wide with amazement as she discovered an attached bathroom, complete with spa. She must have been dreaming. As she explored further, she found that there was a walk in closet attached to the bathroom as big as her old room.
"Do you like it?" Asked the butler once she had returned to the main part of the suite.
"Like it? I love it!" She exclaimed. She then paused. "What is your name?"
"My name is Kan Mukuta, and as you can see, I'm the butler."
"It's so nice to meet you Mr. Mukuta! I'm Kaoru Kamiya."
"Please call me Kan. It's certainly a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kaoru. If you need anything at all during your stay, don't hesitate to ask me. There will also be maids at your service. I hope you will enjoy your time here." He suddenly grew quiet. "However, I must warn you, do not cross Master Ginko when he is upset." There was a pause. "And stay away from Jared when at all possible."
With a wink he was gone, leaving Kaoru to ponder what he had said. Surely Ginko wouldn't bring her to any harm. And who was Jared? She sighed to herself and began unpacking her things, making sure they were put into the proper place. Just as she finished, a maid came in to inform her of meal times and house rules. Kaoru sat and listened through as best as she could, but she was getting a bit tired. As soon as the maid left, Kaoru slipped off into a peaceful slumber, not knowing what would be awaiting her the next day.
And here we are at the end of another chaper. I hope it was enough to keep your attention, and don't worry, you will have some answers soon enough. Ja!
Seien