A/N: Happy few days of holiday for me (T^T)... Good news is that I scored a decent pointer for my first semester in college (yeah, me!) Hopefully, whoever and where ever you are, you are enjoying your life! Here's a chappie, hopefully I did it justice for my long absence... Enjoy!


Chapter 8

Viscount Shimizu's Mansion on Sain Street

"Mistress, your guest has arrived," announced a maid to Countess Shoko Fuyuumi who was sipping her afternoon tea.

Setting it down, the young lady replied sweetly with a warm smile, "Thank you. You may bring her in."

The maid blushed at her mistress's cuteness and returned to the other side of the door and spoke to the hooded figure in a cautious tone:

"My mistress is ready to see you. Please enter,"

"Thanks," came the crude reply. After the figure had entered the room and closed the door behind her did the young maid lets out the breath she was holding.

'That person was so scary... I can't even see who it was under that thick hood. Hopefully, mistress will be alright,' thought the maid worriedly as she went along with her duties.

The purple hooded figure entered the room and shut the door quietly. Taking in the coziness of the spacious and grand sitting room, a low whistle was let out by the mysterious guest. The walls held portraits of the two clans, the Shimizu and Fuyuumi. The arranged marriage between their heirs surely will benefit both parties tremendously. The Shimizu held great influence over the Southeast area of Seisou and have always been one of the key players in the economy of the kingdom. The Fuyuumi, on the other hand, were well-known and respected merchants who own many branches over the Four Seas. With the merger between these two clans, they would be an unstoppable force in conquering the economy of the nation.

'If only that could happen... With Minister Shimizu pressed under the thumb of the bastard king, there is little he can do in taking over the economy of the nation,'

The large curtains were all drawn back to let in the afternoon sunlight. Shoko's porcelain white skin radiated and stood out from the dark emerald gown she was donning. Rising up from her seat, the young countess made her way over to greet her guest. All of a sudden, she flung herself at the hooded figure without a care in the world, cause who cares? No one is there to chide her on her unladylike actions.

Her guest chuckled softly while stroking the countess's head, "My, my. I am honored to have such a lovely young flower gracing me a warm welcome,"

Shoko raised her head meekly and smiled, "Mou, don't tease me so much. I am just so happy to see you again. I thought you have forgotten all about me."

Releasing her hold on her guest, the young countess resumed her graceful self and showed the hooded figure to a seat by the fireplace. The weather was still warm so no fire was made in the fireplace although it was winter. The two occupants in the room sat side by side on the rose patterned sofa. Countess Shoko poured some tea and served her guest who had finally decided to remove the cloak.

Crimson red hair framed the petite face of Kahoko Hino. Both ladies exchanged smiles and burst into giggles. Unable to control herself, the young countess snorted.

"Is that a snort I hear coming from the young lady of the Fuyuumi clan?" Kahoko teased.

Blushing furiously, the young Fuyuumi heir piped back, "It's... It's... No one besides you are the only one here anyway!" Shoko huffed in annoyance and sat back down on her armchair, pretending to ignore her smirking senior.

"There, there. I was only kidding. No need to be so upset about it."

Peeking from the corner of her eye, Shoko finally let it go. Who couldn't, especially when Kahoko looked so apologetic about it.

'I doubt she is even sorry about that,' Shoko chided in her mind. Putting that matter aside (while trying to think of a way to unnerve the assassin), the countess invited one of her best friends for a tea.

After some idle chat about their usual life, they steered towards the real objective of their meeting today. Kahoko set down her china cup gently with a clink onto its saucer and glanced seriously at the countess. Shoko sat up straighter and gave all her attention to her friend.

Taking a deep breath, Kahoko merely mumbled Lily's name when the blue fairy appeared and perched steadily on his mistress's shoulder. Face gracing a gentle smile, Lily encouraged Kahoko to speak. With a nod, Kahoko went into her satchel and pulled out a vial. Its contents as black as the night sky, with a swirl, it changed into the brightest blue anyone has ever seen.

It was the potion everyone was pining for.

"I have finally retrieved it, Shoko," Kahoko softly whispered. Shoko stared at it with eyes as wide as saucers. She couldn't believe it. The legendary potion rumored to be the very blood of Withania. Withania was fearfully known as a mythical creature which resides in the deepest, darkest corner of the Dark Forest. No one knows how this creature looks like, let alone live to tell the tale. Some say it takes the form of a beautiful, sultry young woman to that of a dashing young man. From a hideous old witch to an apparition, many rumors and doubts surround this myth. Most people believe it to be a hoax. However, the black liquid sealed in that vial proved otherwise.

Withania ever lived, existed, walked and breathed in these lands.

It can't be a fake because the mythical creatures of the land seemed to cower at the smell, let alone the sight, of Withania's blood. They would merely mumble the creatures name in fear and cringed from it. With knowledge from their predecessors back then, back when humans and the fae coexisted, the blood was both a blessing and a curse.

It could give or take a life.

The blood was like an elixir of life or death. All of it depends on the wielder, whether they want to use it for good or evil. The only way they can obtain it is through the famous merchant family, who was rumored to have their very own Withania, trapped and sealed somewhere in the Mimir Woods of Gellert. No one knows the exact location of the creature, of course, except for the current head of the merchant family, Lord Usui Tatsuki.

Shaking out of her stupor, Shoko gently held the small vial in her hand. Gingerly removing the stopper, the smell of sea and pines erupted and engulfed the whole room. Savouring in the smell, she quickly sealed it back before she got addicted to it. It did wonders to any human, like a euphoriant, an addictive drug that sends human high for weeks, even months. The blood draws in humans but wards off Fae.

It attracts to kill.

Setting the vial down on the porcelain table, Shoko turned to Kahoko and said:

"You have done it yet again, Kahoko-sempai. I would expect no less from the Deadly Melody trained by the renowned Maestro himself."

Kahoko chuckled, "You look up to me too much, young Countess. No matter how much I practice, I can never pass off as a lady like you."

"Nonsense. With your quick wit and agility, learning mannerism will be a piece of cake for you,"

"If it was so, I won't be sitting here as an assassin with you now, would I? I would be over there, at those high up parties going on lavish dates with rich snobbish men, pretend to grovel at their feet and flirt with them like those courtesans Kanazawa-sensei trained. He would have a field day witnessing me conducting those activities. If I have those grace and mannerism, I bet he would have already have sent me over to Madame Tsuzuki when he found me back then, like Mori-chan,"

Shoko chuckled at Kahoko's irked expression. Madame Mari Tsuzuki was a renowned courtesan in the land, known as "Le Papillion" for her alluring scent and seductive smile. She knew Hiroto back when they were both under their respective masters, being trained in what they excelled at. She was raised to become Seiso's number one courtesan and he was to be the most famous merchant in all the Four Seas. Girls found by Kanazawa who had potential were sent to be trained by Madame Tsuzuki. They were taught the art of being a lady, at the same time, they were trained in weaponry and combat.

By all means, those beautiful ladies latching onto those important selfish men were those pigs' downfall.

"Speaking of Mori, how is she doing?" The young countess inquired. It had been ages since she had heard from one of her dear friends. Kahoko would pop in from time to time but the cyan-eyed female was like once in a blue moon. The last time Shoko had caught a glimpse of her when she was accompanying Duke Raver in the Spring Ball. Shoko shivered at the repulsive thought of that man.

"Well, Manami hasn't really been in the Madame's house for quite some time. I haven't seen her ever since I came back two months ago. I think she is probably off staying at another one of her client's place," Kahoko replied gingerly while sipping her tea.

"What does Tsuchiura-senpai think about this?"

At the mention of his name, Kahoko blushed. Thoughts on their last brawl a few days ago in the dungeons flashed through her mind. Shaking away the thoughts and willing her expression to be neutral, Kahoko questioned her junior:

"What do you mean by that, Shoko?"

'Bull's eye,' the smirking countess thought. The blush her senior gave a few seconds ago didn't go unnoticed by her. 'Obviously, something had transpired between those two.'

"Hmm... Well, a little bird told me how infuriated Mori is with Tsuchiura. He has certainly changed a lot since the last time I saw him all those years ago. From what I have heard, he has grown more... manly and attractive," Shoko said quietly. Continuing, the young countess shyly fibbed, "and there are rumors going on about those two's... nightly rendezvous."

Kahoko's eyes grew wide at the news. Wasn't Ryoutarou sent on a mission for the Duke Yunoki? Certainly, if he was back, she would have seen him around the mansion. She couldn't believe that sneaky bastard has the guts to pull off that stunt during their training and then run around getting under Manami's skirts. Not that she was jealous. She was not. She was just infuriated that her best mate had kept this news to himself and didn't even bother to share it with her.

Muttering some unintelligible words under her breath, Kahoko forcefully smiled and said: "If that's true, then I hope he makes her happy. He is a good guy and Manami is a wonderful and lovely lady,"

The countess arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at the assassin. "Are you sure you are alright with that, Hino-san? I mean, I thought you have liked him all those years and that he reciprocated your feelings. Weren't you two lovers?"

Thinking back to their childhood days and their latest encounter, Kahoko didn't know what to think of their relationship. Sure, she likes Ryoutarou and enjoys his company but seeing him as her partner in life? That was an entirely different story and one that she can't imagine happening. Sure, she had a crush on the handsome young man before but that was back then. Now, she didn't know what to feel.

Especially when a certain mysterious man with haunting saffron eyes keep popping into her mind when it was not occupied.

"No, we are not. I don't really... feel that way about him. Not that I don't think he is dashing, he is, I admit that. But, he is... more like a brother to me." The assassin took another gulp of the calming tea, the hot liquid burning her throat.

"I see," Shoko commented, "Well, look at the time, I didn't know that we would chat for this long, she exclaimed as the skies slowly darken into hues of oranges and reds as the sun set.

As the countess got up to hug her dear friend, a knock was heard. The wooden oak doors opened to reveal her fiancée. Viscount Keiichi Shimizu sauntered in, clad dashingly in his sky blue tunic and black pants. His long puffed-sleeved white cotton shirt was tucked neatly into his pants, paired off with his brown leather hunting boots. He languidly bowed in respect to his senior once he approached the pair of ladies. Taking his soon to be wife's hand in his, he gave it a kiss, causing his young lady to blush a beautiful scarlet. Reeling in the feeling of gagging at the public display of affection and temptation to tease the young countess, Kahoko gave the young man a pat on the back.

It had been quite some time since she had seen her young junior. Vivid memories of their childhood back when he trained in the Maestro house in his younger days flashed through her mind. Back then, the quiet and timid young boy would cry when some other noblemen's children bullied him due to his unique way of expressing himself. He would always question everything and anything, which most people have a hard time understanding his cryptic speeches. The Maestro tried to train him up as a fighter but alas, the books always beckoned him to the large library in the mansion. The first place they would find him was there whenever he wanted time alone or merely just to skip the sparring session with Ryoutarou, nicknamed the Cold Beast with his merciless sparring.

Although Keiichi never really was a warrior, he was an amazing strategist and tactician. It was always proven whenever they all split into groups to play the game "Catch the Flag" within the forest near the mansion. With his keen mind and deep analyze on everyone's specialty and weakness, he basically could be a one man team on his own against all of them and would still win in less than five minutes. Even though he has a gentle and patient spirit, if needed, he could be quite the scheming devil. When it comes to games of the mind, the viscount would surely win.

Turning towards Kahoko, Viscount Shimizu gave a small smile and quietly offered, "Why not stay for dinner, Kaho-senpai? We would be delighted to have you in our midst; we have a lot to catch up on."

"I won't want to impose," Kahoko started but was cut off by the countess.

"Kahoko, we would be both honored and delighted to have you over dinner," the younger woman chided, "and besides, we have many matters to talk about."

Taking the hint, Hino agreed and shook her head at the gleeful expression on both her juniors' faces. 'These two are made for each other. Scheming and manipulative but lovable all the same,' the assassin thought.


A few hours later...

Both the viscount and assassin sat comfortably in rugged armchairs in front of the flickering fire, burning brightly in the fireplace. Candles were lit along the walls in the Viscount's study, illuminating the room on that chilly night. After much persuasion of the couple, Kahoko decided to stay the night despite her inner self-consciously reminding her of her intrusion of their love nest which the countess had shamelessly said she would not be as she will put at the guest quarters which was quite a distance from the couple's chambers.

'And it would be dangerous to back at this hour even though you are stronger and more powerful than any being out there.' The Shimizu heir's word played on repeat in her mind and found herself silently agreeing to his advice. With a goblet of wine in her hand, Kahoko observed Keiichi's features silently. Many years of friendship and observation, the perspicacious assassin sensed something amiss in Viscount Shimizu's tensed shoulder even though he showed a picture of relaxation. His fiancée had retreated back to her chambers, faking fatigue when in actual fact, her soon-to-be husband wanted to have a word with their senior. As he slowly sipped on his red wine, the young man spoke while his eyes observed the dancing flames.

"I heard from Shoko that you have obtained the potion," Shimizu started. Without waiting for a reply, he continued. "You know that we all have your back. This war is bigger than all of us think, I am sure you know of that."

"I know that you think that it is your fault when we were chosen by the guardians to participate in this. Senpai, the guardians made the choice, not you."

"But..." Kahoko mumbled, "I was the one who brought both of you there back then. If only I hadn't brought you two to the clearing, none of this would happen. You wouldn't have to suffer at the King's command to train that bastard prince. Your family would not have to be pressured by that wretched man. Shoko's family wouldn't have thrown her aside like some trash and kept her locked up. All of you could have lived a peaceful life if it weren't for me and this paltry destiny of mine. This was my battle alone."

Sighing at his senior's stubborn outburst, he countered, "Kaho-senpai. Please. Stop blaming yourself. Even if you hadn't brought us there, we would have gone there on our own too. As you said before, there was a voice calling us since a long time ago. Way before you brought us there under Lili's persuasion,"

At the mention of his name, Lili appeared with misty eyes in between the two chosen. Kahoko smiled weakly at him as she patted his silky hair. Silently, Shimizu's guardian, Ozio, appeared beside the blue fairy and gave him a pat on the back. Resuming the conversation, the Viscount reassured the assassin.

"All of us participated in this war willingly. None of us were forced to though it seemed like it but eventually, we have to face what we have been called to do. Yes, it's true it is your battle as you and the prince are both two halves of a whole. Always against each other in each war no matter how. However, for each war to proceed, all seven instruments have to be called forth. Even though there were times that only a few were needed but the both of your guardians have to be present in each summoning. Not all of us were summoned through your influence, senpai."

His last sentence reminded Kahoko of both Baron Hihara and Duke Yunoki. Both were actually on the prince's side in this war, having been chosen since young by the guardians as the King had ordered. Duke Yunoki was chosen when he was a mere eight years old while the baron was chosen in his early teens. That was when he stopped coming to the mansion for his training and his company in their circle lessen into a once in a blue moon occurrence. When Kahoko had found out the truth behind Hihara's constant bailing, she was both angered and sorrowful at the fate bestowed on him. The king had no right in forcing Hihara into this mess even though his guardian chose him.

"Perhaps you are right, Shimizu," Kahoko replied calmly, "I have been continuously self-blaming myself for all that has happened, knowing full well that even if I had done everything in my power to prevent it, it was bound to happen anyway,"

Humming in approval, Shimizu informed, "Just remember that we will always stick by you no matter what. You have the upper hand here, with four of us on your side." Standing up and resting his goblet on the mantel, the viscount glanced back at Kahoko with questioning eyes. Raising an eyebrow, Kahoko asked curiously at the young man's amused expression.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Is something going on?"

Smiling bemusedly, Keiichi inquired gently, knowing that the info he was about to share might blow up her fuse but he relished in witnessing Kahoko's many expressions. It would be amusing and interesting if he deprived this information to her. Although it will be at the cost of another's life, he considered it to be worth his guilty pleasure.

'Hopefully, both of them won't meet each other too soon,' Shimizu thought beguilingly. He arched his eyebrow at his senpai and innocently questioned her, "What do you ever mean senpai?"

"Don't play innocent with me, Viscount Shimizu. You are hiding something from me and you know it very well," Kahoko glared.

Giving her one of his rare smirks, the Viscount nodded his head, "True that, senpai. But I don't think you will take this info very well," Kahoko snorted and rolled her eyes, "It concerns a certain cerulean-haired young man."

The assassin stiffened. A pair of piercing saffron eyes belonging to a certain cerulean hair male burned in her mind. She could feel her heart quicken at his image and a blush slowly creeping onto her features. Sucking in a breath, she tried to calm herself down. She was not going to play right into Shimizu's hands.

"What do you mean, Shimizu? I have no such encounters with a man who possess such hair,"

"Oh really? And whenever did I mention that you have encountered him? I merely stated it concerns him, not on an encounter between the both of you," Shimizu countered, deeply enjoying the look of mortification Kahoko's face having been caught at her slip. Trying to form a retort back but ended up with none, Kahoko gave up and buried her face in her hands. Voice muffled, she asked:

"Fine. You got me there. So, what does the prince have now that concerns me?"

Slightly disappointed with her quick surrender and cutting short his entertainment, Shimizu merely shrugged and answered her, "Remember the sessions I have with the prince? Seems like a certain flame-haired female has been occupying his mind as of late, though he hides it well, but clearly not well enough. Anyway, it's getting late and I better retreat back to my chambers. Have a pleasant evening, senpai."

With a bow, he left the room, leaving the baffled assassin in her seat, goblet held tightly in her hand. Lili gave her a smile and disappeared. She was actually quite drained but this piece of info kept playing on repeat in her mind.

'Seems like a certain flame-haired female has been occupying his mind...'

The words made her squirm in both anticipation and dread. It can't mean anything right, she thought to herself. It didn't mean anything. It was a one-time encounter but somehow it had affected both of them tremendously.

'What does this mean?' Kahoko questioned in her mind, 'There's no way we are infuriated with one another. We are enemies in this war. Surely he knows that. But... No! Don't even go there, Kahoko! Focus! You have to win this twisted battle and save everyone from their demise. The prince is just another victim even though he is the enemy. Fight, wish and end. Remember what Ousaki told you."

With her steeling resolve, Kahoko got up and left the room. Leaving her untouched goblet on the table, the scarlet liquid within it glittered under the firelight.

"Blood will be spilled soon..."


A/N: Happy early new year, peeps! And a merry late Christmas~