A/N: Thank you to all of those who've favourited and followed my fanfic so far. I really hope that I can meet your expectations for "Homicide For The Holidays", especially since it's probably my most risky and ambitious story of the series.

Some of you are asking whether I'll be continuing on with the murder mystery series after this one. I still am not sure, as right now, I'm mainly focused on figuring out the plotline for my upcoming Toji No Miko vampire fanfic. But we shall see later on. Anyway, happy reading!


Chapter 2: Murasaki Fumiko

For a split second, I was seriously beginning to think we had come to the wrong house. It just never occurred to me that Fumiko might've invited more guests. But even if the thought did cross my mind, I wouldn't have expected the Akabane Sword Team to be on the list. For one thing, they certainly weren't the type of company Fumiko would have enjoyed. Her letter to me was enough to prove that, as she explicitly wrote she preferred socializing with "her kind" only. People very classy, rich, and politically important. I immediately labelled her as a stuffed-up prune when I read that. So, why were the Akabane Sword Team here anyway?

The shock and confusion of the moment registered on all of our faces, as we stood speechlessly staring at each other. It was Kiyoka that broke the silence.

"Etou-san and Hiyori-sama?"

"Kanami?!" Mihono cried.

"Eh? Mihono-chan?!" Kanami exclaimed, along with a certain burning question, "What are you all doing here?"

Straightening her dull lavender glasses, Mirja was the one who explained. "We are here on a mission. It's said that a long-lost Akabane Sword is said to be hidden here in the wilderness of Aomori. Because its exact location is unknown, we have been commanded to find and retrieve it."

"Who gave you your orders?" I demanded.

"The American Toji Ministry of Defense," Chie answered. "Fumiko-sama has provided us with accommodation here on Chairwoman Wilkinson's orders."

That response made me immediately suspicious, though I tried to not let my expression show it. For starters, Chairwoman Wilkinson was only responsible for American Toji-related matters. Even if this was perhaps a top-secret mission, it would've needed official approval from both Director Maniwa and myself—the law required it. And yet...

"I don't remember the chairwoman ever mentioning a mission such as that," I said.

"It was one given to us at the last minute quite frankly," Mirja said. "We actually arrived only ten minutes before you two."

Her vagueness did not reassure my doubts, but I eventually shrugged it off—with some difficulty. There wasn't any real harm so far. And besides, Kanami clearly believed the more the merrier. Already, she and Mihono were talking up a storm about new kenjutsu strategies.

Still, this was something I'd have to discuss with Chairwoman Wilkinson once I returned to Kamakura. Her motives were just plain questionable. Plus, her act of giving orders to Tojis not under her authority, without my permission, did not make her look good.

Seeming to sense my wariness, Kofuki twirled one of her small okatanas in her hand with a grin. "Hardly been to these parts, but I'm sure there's some nice aradama-chan for me to play with."

In this freezing weather, her anticipation was pointless. I bet it was too cold for even aradama to be out and about. And even then, all Kofuki would get for her troubles is getting chilled to the bone. If it was anybody but Kofuki, I'd probably be tempted to just speak my mind. But past experience taught me that her ears would simply drown me out anyway. Either that or I'd get a snappish response of "Mind your own business!"

Before I even knew it, I was bombarded by Yui, who flung her arms around me. Just being touched by her alone made my skin crawl. I didn't want to think about what kind of perverted thoughts she had in her mind right at that moment. Entrap me in a hug so that she could attempt to give me a kiss? Or possibly even strip me down in front of everyone? Both of these Yui attempted on me in the past to the point where I had to get a restraining order.

With a blushing face so delirious that it looked freakish, she crooned, "Hiyori-sama, I've been simply dying to gaze into your beautiful eyes again! Tonight, you and I must sit together for dinner. I'm sure Kanami-chan won't mind sparing you for a bit, right? Together, we'll surely both enjoy a pleasant evening. Oh, I'm so anticipating what you'll wear for dinner—it's just such fun to dress up. I remember seeing your inauguration on live television two years ago. And that gorgeous black dress you were wearing! The one with all the feathers? I just wanted to reach through the screen and rip it right off of you!"

'I'm sure you did,' I thought with a grimace.

From the side, I could see Kanami giving Yui a look that could kill. Thankfully, before my girlfriend actually tried to strangle my assailant, Hana came to my rescue.

Yanking her schoolmate's collar, she said, "That's enough, Yui. Stop molesting the Head of the Origami Family."

Reproachful as Hana's voice was, there was also something else in her tone that I couldn't definitively make out. Not anger exactly, but...

"Aw, Hana-san, I was only playing around..." Yui whined.

Approaching me with her usual shyness, Kiyoka asked, "So, Hiyori-sama, none of us asked yet but...why are you and Etou-san here anyway?"

"Murasaki Fumiko invited me over for Christmas. The Elite Guards couldn't come, so Kanami has accompanied me and will remain during our time here," I replied.

"I'm sure I can speak for all of us that we, likewise, weren't expecting you both," Chie said. Was it my imagination or was there a tinge of frustration in her voice?

I couldn't wonder about it because a second later, Ryosei came in. "M'lady, Fumiko-sama is ready to see you in her study."

I didn't want to meet with Fumiko in private. She seriously couldn't greet me here in the drawing-room herself? But I guessed she wanted to discuss confidential business matters without any other ears listening. After all, one slip of the tongue could topple empires. Nevertheless, my mind couldn't stop racing as I followed Ryosei to a beautifully carved wooden door, which he knocked three times.

"Come in," said a blood-chilling voice from inside.

Ryosei stepped aside to let me enter before closing the door right behind me. The first thing I immediately sensed was a familiar heavy aura in the room like a dark miasma. It was suffocating and smelled heavily of blood. Dark spots started to appear in my vision and I put a hand against the wall behind me, struggling to remain on my feet. This presence...I knew it all too well.

Fumiko's study was well-lit and warm, thanks to the roaring fireplace. Above the mantlepiece was a portrait of a group of people whom I assumed were the Murasaki Family. Almost every inch of wall was lined with bookshelves. In between two tall windows was a large desk of polished mahogany, behind which Fumiko sat writing in a little book.

Not raising an eye at me, she curtly said, "Sit."

She did not get up to bow or even shake my hand. The hard chair in front of her desk was so uncomfortable that it felt like it was made from bones. I sat motionless as she continued writing, my eyes firmly locked on her. I sensed that she was waiting for me to speak first.

"I am grateful for your invitation, Murasaki Fumiko," I said, even though I felt the opposite.

Fumiko still said nothing, but laid down her pen and placed her book off to the side of her desk. That was when I got my first real look at her. I was struck surprised at how young she was; she must've been at least two years younger than me. And yet, she was seriously in the same year as Maki when they attended high-school? Apparently, Sanae wasn't joking when she said Fumiko was really bright. I bet cunning too.

Her medium-length hair was mostly white with deep purple tips. But it was her eyes that caught my attention. They were red. Not merely reddish-brown like mine, but fiery red. Almost as red as blood. There was something very sinister in those eyes of hers. This girl...had a weird vibe. She also reminded me of someone. I couldn't remember who exactly.

Suddenly, it all started adding up. The dark atmosphere in the study, the white in Fumiko's hair, her eyes so red that they were practically glowing... It didn't take me long to realize just what Fumiko was...for I myself was once one. My hand automatically went to the hilt of Kogarasumaru.

"I am delighted that you were able to come, Hiyori-onee-sama," Fumiko said. "Christmas would've been so lonely without your company."

She put her elbows on the desk, leaning her chin on her hands. The seductive gaze she gave me was one I guessed few could resist.

"You would've had the company of the Akabane Sword Team," I said, despite knowing she didn't care a smidge about them.

Waving a hand dismissively, Fumiko said, "Yes, them. Well, that isn't quite the same as having a distinguished government official over. You, on the other hand, are special. Being the only living person now to possess the Fifth-Layer Jin'i... And when you made that public announcement of Etou Kanami being your girlfriend! Her as the future Head Consort? To say I was shocked is an understatement, which I'm sure can apply to just about anybody. You planning to marry her and have no children of your own..."

"My new successor, Etou Minato, is descended from the Origami Family. There is no doubt she will also have the ability to perform the aradama sealing technique once she is older. The Origami and Hiiragi Families are two sides of the same coin," I responded, trying not to sound disgruntled.

Of what business was it for Fumiko to be prying into my private life? God, she was acting like one of those damn reporters I always hated!

"Oh yes, Akane-sama's newborn little girl. How is she anyway?" Fumiko asked.

"Fine."

"And you plan to mentor her once she comes of age?"

"Yes."

My hair was bristling in annoyance and finally, I snapped, "Now look here! Just what is it to you about my family?"

"Oh? You're calling them your family now, are you? I see you are indeed set on marrying that sword-crazy girl," Fumiko chuckled. "I will get straight to the point, Hiyori-onee-sama. I know you have a lot on your hands and that there'll be even more tasks for you in the future. Way too many for you to handle. Therefore, I'd like to offer my services to you as your right-hand woman."

I admit I let out a short laugh of my own. I was right after all. This damn girl was indeed someone who'd do anything to achieve her goals.

"You must be joking," I scoffed.

That was when the tip of the okatana came close to my neck. Her voice now dangerously low, Fumiko said, "I am just as concerned as you about the well-being of not only all Tojis but also the good of humanity. You see, my family has done intense research on aradama which we've proved will be beneficial in terms of handling them. And for the sake of the greater good, I am willing to do anything to help you, Hiyori-onee-sama."

At once, I remembered just who she reminded me of. Pulling the tip of Fumiko's okatana away from my throat, I said, "You're Hitakami Makoto's cousin, aren't you?"

Fumiko made no reply to this, but I could see in her stare that I hit the bull's eye. Standing up, I put on what I knew to be my blankest face. There was no possible way for Fumiko to guess what I was thinking.

"I am sorry, Murasaki Fumiko, but I must decline your offer."

"Why?" she demanded, jumping from her chair.

"Simply because I'm an independent person and prefer doing things my own way. And I've already proven myself to be a pragmatic and frugal leader. I require no extra assistance than what I already have."

"I have wonderful connections with others that even you don't have, Hiyori-onee-sama!"

Despite her trying to raise the offer, I did not take the bait. "I apologize, Murasaki Fumiko, but I want nothing to do with you. Period.

"Why?" Fumiko angrily asked.

"Simply because I don't trust you."


A/N: Finally, we have seen the Akabane Sword Team, and Kanami and Hiyori catch up, although under rather strange circumstances. And Hiyori has met Murasaki Fumiko face-to-face. Is there something more to the threatening Murasaki Head? Is Hiyori right to distrust her?