Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's and a few mildly creative artwork names.
Second Theft
"It is time to awaken, master!"
Suki groaned as Arien drew open the blinds and let the sun rain down on her face. Arien started scurrying around the room gathering books and pencils, pieces of Suki's late night homework and tidying up the balls of paper that she had thrown over her shoulder because of mistakes. Suki sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes, taking in the change in light.
"Master I have prepared you breakfast and have made you a lunch for your noon time consumption." Arien stated. She finished cleaning up Suki's room, much to Suki's amazement, and stood by the closet door. "Is there anything else you require, master?"
Suki looked at the clock on her bedside table and noticed that for once she wouldn't have to hurry to get to school. "No thanks, Arien. That's all for now."
Arien awkwardly smiled at her charge before turning and making her way down the stairs towards the kitchen that Suki hardly used. Suki pushed aside the covers and stretched before making her way to the closet for her uniform. Having extra time to get ready meant she could spend more time trying to be girly than usual. She plucked up her brush and stared at it, uncertain about how she might want to style her hair.
I've never thought much about it before. But I guess that it's worth the tugging if Hiwatari notices the difference!
She turned on the television and set to work on her hair, enjoying the background noise of the morning news.
"This just in." the television reporter said, "the Phantom Thief Dark has sent out another warning letter! Police are saying that he intends to steal the 'Sakamura Crown' from the Ishimaru museum at ten thirty tonight!"
Suki made a face at the television before switching it off. "I could be a way better thief than he is."
She looked into the mirror beside her door and pouted. I'll never be able to make this mess look pretty like Risa's always is. I should just throw it into a pony tail and spare the humiliation of it looking horrible.
Arien knocked on the door frame from beside Suki. "Is there something the matter, master?"
Suki began to shake her head to dismiss that notion, but stopped herself. She looked up at the taller girl. "Do you know how to . . . That is, can you do up my hair?"
The red-head girl's eyes widened considerably and her smile seemed to come more naturally than before. She took the brush from her young charge and nodded, walking around her until she was behind her.
"How would you like it done, my master?" She asked.
Suki thought for a moment. She hadn't considered how she would do it up; she just wanted something to impress Hiwatari with. "Something that will catch the eye of the guy I like."
Arien nodded and began brushing Suki's hair until it fell in long waves down to the center of her back. Arien then set the brush aside and began to braid some strands of hair down the center, stopping short enough to leave a little straight tail. Arien reached into the sleeve of her dress and pulled out a light blue ribbon, like the color of frost. Suki stared at herself in the mirror, impressed by what she saw.
"Thank you, Arien!" She said and hugged the older girl around the middle. Arien's eyes widened in surprise from not being used to this sort of physical thanks, before remembering that she had to act human and therefore hugged her charge back.
Suki let go of the maid and grabbed her bag. "I'm off to school! Be sure to keep yourself entertained while I'm gone!"
Arien watched her charge leave the front door running, and tilted her head. "What is entertainment?"
She turned to find a dictionary, to help her figure out the meaning behind the word, before noticing the bag on the table beside the door.
"Oh, master forgot her lunch!"
Suki ran to school from joy rather than tardiness. She felt content at that moment, like the day had begun on too much of a positive note to end on a sour one. She cut through the woods until she saw her school. Racing through the gate, she almost ran over Daisuke.
"Daisuke look out!" She shouted, running past him.
"Ah!" Daisuke shouted, jumping back from her path. "What's got you in such a happy mood this morning?"
Suki came to a stop, admiring the way her hair fell around her. "Oh, no reason Daisuke. I just feel really happy today."
Daisuke stared after his friend as she walked into the school building. Well she seems awfully cheerful this morning. I wonder what's got her in such a good mood?
Daisuke jumped as Dark began commenting on Suki as well. "Does she usually put her hair up like that? It might have something to do with a boy, Daisuke."
Daisuke blinked before pursing his lips. Maybe, but she's usually such a tomboy around boys. The only one she really becomes a girl around is . . .
Suki made her way into the classroom, peeking from behind the door to see if Satoshi had arrived yet. She nearly danced with joy when she saw him at his desk, reading a book. She straightened up from behind the door, planning to enter and attract his attention by walking gracefully to her seat, where she would flip a strand of hair over her shoulder and look at him with a side glance.
This is the day I finally get Satoshi Hiwatari to notice me! Nothing can go wrong right now!
Suki walked into the room- only to be tackled from behind by one Takeshi Saehara.
"Hey Suki, what's up?" He asked, throwing an arm around her shoulders and striking his thumbs up pose. She glared through his choke hold as he dragged her over to her desk. Saehara! Of all days you had to come out of nowhere and make a fool out of me in front of Hiwatari! Damn you to hell, Saehara!
Suki grew irritated and stomped on the boy's foot. He yelped and she elbowed him out of her way.
"What have I told you about tackling me, Saehara?" She asked in a dangerous calm. She cracked her knuckles. "I remember saying that I would rearrange your face at some point."
Saehara scratched the back of his head from his place on the floor. "Uh, I don't think that was it, Suki! And honestly, I forgot that you don't like hugs!"
It was true, she didn't like hugs. At least, she didn't like them when they weren't being given by Satoshi Hiwatari or one of her really close friends. She sighed and flicked a strand of hair from her face, realizing that Saehara had made a bigger spectacle of the two of them than she had wanted. She blushed and sat down at her desk, resting her head on her palm.
Alright, so Saehara ruined my chance of getting Hiwatari to notice me in a good way. That doesn't mean that my chance to get noticed is over! All I have to do is comment on his artwork or something today in art class, and then he'll have to notice me in a good way! Genius!
Riku and Risa entered the room, followed by Daisuke. Saehara leapt from the floor to tackle Daisuke, while Risa and Riku walked to stand by Suki. Risa smiled brightly, and Suki inwardly cringed as she realized what was coming next.
"Phantom Thief Dark is going to steal again tonight!" Risa said, cupping her face with her hands. "I'm so excited! Maybe tonight is the night that he finally notices me and asks me on a date!"
Riku huffed and shook her head. "Forget it, Risa. A guy like that is bad news! He's way too old for you anyway!"
Risa got on the defensive. "And how would you know how old Dark is? Besides, age doesn't matter to me! He could be a hundred and I wouldn't care!"
Riku shook her head again at her younger sibling. "You're missing the point, Risa. All I'm saying is that he might have older interests! You're too young for him, and besides that, he's a complete pervert!"
Risa and Riku argued back and forth, leaving Suki between one of their sibling rants once more. She set her head down on the desk, wondering how every morning started like this. Suki felt bad for Daisuke too, because up until recently she could have sworn that he'd been in love with Risa. Her constant talk about the Phantom Thief must have hurt him over and over. Suki thought about getting pointers from Daisuke as the teacher walked in the room.
"Take your seats; we have to get started right away." The teacher said. Suki pulled out her book and pencil, ready to copy down notes.
Suddenly the door to the classroom slid open. Suki glanced up from her note taking and her eyes widened. Arien stood in the doorway, wearing that grey maids dress and carrying a paper bag in her hands. She watched as the older girls green eyes traveled around the room until they landed on Suki.
Arien smiled and walked into the room, headed straight towards her charge. "Master, you forgot your noon time consumption bag at home this morning. I have brought it to you so that you won't have to walk all the way home to get it!"
Suki wanted to bite her pencil in half. This cannot be happening. It's bad enough that she came here carrying my lunch, but what's worse is how she's dressed! Doesn't she have anything besides that outfit?!
Suki took the lunch quickly and thanked Arien. In a quick movement, Suki brought her maid down to her ear level.
"Arien, I need you to go out into town and get something to wear other than what you have! If you're going to come to my school, please don't come in a maids outfit! You're kind of . . . embarrassing me." She said quietly, hoping the girl wouldn't take offense to her words.
Arien's eyes widened as she realized she had embarrassed her master with her attire, so she nodded quickly. "I will do as told, master."
Arien turned to walk out of the classroom when Saehara got in the way.
"Hold up a minute!" He said, bringing out a pad of paper. "Who are you? What is your relation to Suki Zaiaku and where are you from, because I would love to visit somewhere that's as beautiful as you are!"
Suki shrank in her seat. I'm going to crush Saehara and split him into a million pieces. Suki's head shot up from her desk as she realized that Arien would tell Saehara all about how she is a stolen artwork that is somehow bound to the Zaiaku bloodline, and worked as Suki's maid. If the class finds out about this, I might be looked at as one of those snooty rich kids! Hiwatari might think I'm some sort of stuck-up girl, like the rest of the girls in the class! I cannot let this happen!
Arien smiled down at Saehara. "My name is the-"
Suki covered her maid's mouth with one of her hands. "This is Arien, she's my older sister, and she just got back from an anime convention. That's why she's dressed the way she is."
Suki gaze Arien a look that clearly said to follow her lead, so Arien nodded and hugged her 'little sister'.
"I just got back, and I noticed that she didn't bring her lunch, so I decided to pop in and say hello. I didn't realize I was still in my convention costume!" Arien said, pulling off another of her awkward but natural smiles.
Saehara was a bit suspicious. "Are you sure you two are related?"
Suki's veins began to pulse with irritation. "Are you implying something, Saehara?"
Saehara's eyes widened and he took a step back. "No! I didn't say anything at all! I can totally see the resemblance!"
Suki let out a breath before walking with Arien to the door. "Alright, well thanks for coming, sis."
Arien nodded and stepped out into the hallway but didn't get far before Saehara recovered and asked her for a quick picture.
"Only if you don't mind!" He said, holding the camera. Arien nodded her consent, so Saehara started snapping off multiple pictures instead of just one. The teacher grew irritated and called him back to his seat so that the older 'Miss. Zaiaku' could leave.
Saehara smiled from cheek to cheek. "These are going to be so great!"
Suki let her head rest on her palm again, silently wishing that the day would end. She stole a glance towards the door to make sure that Arien had really left, and caught Daisuke in the corner of her eye.
Well there goes Dai, always day dreaming during class. She faced the board. Hiwatari deserved a smart girl that could keep up with his intelligence, she had to remain focused.
Daisuke had been working diligently on his notes before Arien had walked into the classroom. As soon as she stepped foot inside, he knew that she was different. When her eyes were scanning over the students to locate Suki, they had connected with Daisuke's for a brief moment, and his heart had sped up like it did with Risa and then Riku.
He clutched at his heart when she left. Oh no! Please tell me that she isn't a new sacred maiden! I'm so close to asking out Riku!
He took a look over towards the older Harada sister, and felt the same heart throbbing as always. What? Does that mean that Dark's DNA was reacting to Suki's sister? But how is that possible? He hasn't even seen her!
"That's where you're wrong, Daisuke." Dark's voice lingered in his mind. Daisuke could see the spirit version of Dark floating in the air beside him. "I've been here this whole time. And my, isn't she something? I may have to introduce myself later!"
Daisuke didn't know what to do anymore. He had wished that he and Dark wouldn't like the same girl for a while, but this new girl confused him. Obviously Dark had taken a liking to her, so he wouldn't be after Riku now. Daisuke wasn't sure whether the change was worth it. After all, he was more likely to change into Dark because now Riku wasn't the one stabling both their DNA.
Oh man. What am I going to do about changing back to my self now?
Daisuke looked over at the camera Saehara was holding. It looked like he would need to buy another picture.
Arien walked around Azumano in search of what Suki ordered. She had no idea where to begin looking. Ever since her master had ordered her to be more human, she tried learning how humans acted so that she could act the same. So far, she had only met her master and the boy named Saehara, and she had not learned much from either. The two young adults were both extremely different from the other. Where her master was shy, Saehara was bold. It confused her to no end.
She walked around the outdoor market, but found no sign of any clothing shop. She sighed, something that her master had taught her that humans do in stressful situations, and stopped walking. A woman noticed her distress and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Are you lost or looking for something?" The woman asked. Arien observed the human. She had short brown hair and eyes, and wore a green shirt and brown skirt.
"I was ordered to find changes of clothes." She told the woman. "I do not know where to go."
The woman smiled at her, not even fazed by the wording the art work had given her. "Well then lucky for you, I happen to know some good places around here! Follow me; I'll take you to them!"
Arien smiled with what she hoped was a natural, human smile and started off with the woman, who told her that her name was Emiko Niwa.
Suki opened the front door of her house and walked in, letting her school bag slump to the ground by the table. Her plan to make Satoshi Hiwatari notice her had taken a turn because he hadn't shown up for art class. She had waited impatiently for that class all day, and felt like she had wasted all of her energy when she didn't see him walk through the door.
"Welcome home, master!" Arien greeted happily. Suki looked up at the art work and blinked. Arien had abandoned her rich looking grey maids dress for a knee-length black skirt and a loose-fitting white shirt with sleeves that stopped at the elbows. She looked like a normal human.
"Good to see you too, Arien." Suki said. She picked up her bag, slightly rejuvenated now, and slung it over her shoulder. "Did you have fun shopping?"
Arien nodded and smiled. "Yes, I met this nice woman who showed me all of the shops and stores around town to buy from. I now know where to purchase master's food!"
Suki smiled at the girl, happy to see that at least she was happy. "Well, I'm going upstairs to do homework. I guess you can just call me when diners ready or something like that."
Arien nodded and headed towards the kitchen. Suki shook her head at the girl. She had come a long way from having no real emotion, but she still didn't quite get it. Suki wondered briefly if emotion was the real problem before she started up the stairs to start on her latest art project.
Satoshi strode into the doorway of his house, shutting the door behind him. The girl that Suki Zaiaku claimed to be her older sister had weighed on his mind throughout the day. It didn't add up to him that the two were related. He didn't know how he knew, but his instinct told him that he was right to be suspicious.
He flicked on the lamp at his desk and picked up a book from one of his shelves. He began reading from it, trying to remember where exactly he had seen the piece of history that now plagued his mind. He flipped through chapter after chapter until he finally reached a piece that was both familiar and revealing.
On December eighth, eighteen sixty-two, I sold an art piece to a traveling man whom went by the name Zaiaku.
Satoshi grabbed another book from his shelves and flipped through the pages. He came to a stop on one page; a picture of a jewel encrusted scroll was placed over top of a small information strip.
Donated to the Azumano museum of art in eighteen seventy four by one Cedric Zaiaku. It is said to be the work of a legendary artist known only as Hikari.
Satoshi closed the book and walked down stairs. He reached the door hallway and plucked the cord phone from its place and punched in the number for the Azumano museum.
"This is the Azumano Museum of Art, how can we help you?"
"I would like to inquire about one artifact, a "Jewel of the Scroll"." He told the operator. He was placed on hold for a moment before the operator returned.
"I'm sorry sir, but it appears that the Jewel of the Scroll was stolen two nights ago during one of Phantom Thief Dark's attacks."
"Thank you for the information." He said, and hung up the phone.
Satoshi stood in the hallway a moment, thinking back to the girl that had entered their class. It's not entirely impossible that an artwork could take human form, especially if it was made by a Hikari. However, it called Suki Zaiaku 'master'. Why would an artwork refer to its owner as its master?
Satoshi climbed up the stairs again, and began digging into the mystery of the Jewel of the Scroll.
Arien knew from watching her master that humans needed sleep. She had looked through the home of her masters and discovered a room filled with masses of junk. Suki had told her that they were to keep up the pretense of being sisters when other people were around, so she figured that as Suki's sister, she needed a place to sleep.
Arien had started hauling the junk from the room at twelve that afternoon, and had continued until Suki had gotten home at four. After seeing her charge back from school, she started cleaning again. It was nearing eight and very dark outside when she stopped to begin her master's diner.
She prepared mac and cheese using the directions the box had given her and carried a bowl up to her master's room.
"You didn't have to bring it up to me." Suki protested. "I would've come down to eat."
Arien saw that Suki was covered in paint, because she was working on a project for her school. After placing the bowl on her desk, Arien left the room and began cleaning again. At ten, she wiped sweat from her brow and declared the room clean. Now all she had to do was find a bed to place near the wide window and a dresser to hold the multitude of clothes that Emiko had her buy. Arien stuffed the large bags of shopping into the closet before walking downstairs.
The ground floor had the kitchen, living room and small bathroom all interconnected and separated only by the entrance hallway. The second story had a small sitting room with shelves that were stacked with books, a full bathroom and Arien's room, while the third story held only Suki's room and bathroom.
She passed by the entrance hallway and made sure to lock the front door before passing into the living room. She grabbed three large cushions and a couple of throw pillows before starting off up the stairs and into her room. She placed the large cushions on the floor and then set the throw pillows on top of them.
"Perfect!" She said aloud, a trait she was picking up from Suki. "Now I have a make-shift bed for the night until a replacement can be found."
Arien crossed the room to lean on her window. It opened at her sudden touch, and with a shock she realized that it opened up to a flat part of roof. Curious, she stepped out onto the roof and looked around. Surrounding the house on three sides were trees, but the fourth side faced out over the ocean. She looked up and saw the night sky.
"Oh my, how beautiful it is." She murmured. She found that it hurt to stare at the sky when she had her head tilted up, so she lay down on the roof and watched the stars that way. The sight of the sky made her heart feel content, and she found that she enjoyed gazing at them. So this is entertainment.
A figure flew through the starry sky, with large dark wings. Arien squinted, trying to bring the figure into focus. It appeared to be flying her way.
Dark took off into the air with a laugh as the police tried to capture him before he could escape.
"Maybe you'll catch me later, fellows!" He said, and took off into the night air. "Daisuke, you're being awfully quiet this evening! What's on your mind?"
"I'm just confused about Suki's sister." Daisuke answered, flying along beside Dark in spirit form. "I mean, we know nothing about her. I didn't even know Suki had a sister until today."
"Maybe she didn't want you to know." Dark suggested. He closed one eye cheekily. "The girl tried hard to hide her sister, but the great Phantom Thief Dark always discovers the truth in the end. Hey Daisuke, what do you say we go and visit the Zaiaku sisters?"
"What?! No, Dark! Don't get them involved! Dark, please stop!"
"Nah, I want to go and say hi to Miss Arien Zaiaku." Dark said, and took off towards the Zaiaku family house.
Arien stared as a boy with black wings landed on the roof in front of her. She sat up and continued her stare.
"Who are you?" She asked. The boy had long purple colored hair and eyes that shone like amethysts. In his hands he carried a jeweled crown.
He reached out a hand to her. "I am Dark Mousy, at your service."
She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. He stood about a half a head taller than her, but it made no difference to her. He kept hold of her hand, holding it between them.
"Can I ask your name, my lady?" He asked, bringing her hand to his lips.
She wasn't sure what the feeling inside of her stomach was. She couldn't remember it from before, and had not felt it in the time she had been ordered to act as a human. It was foreign to her, and it made her uneasy but relaxed at the same time.
"I am Arien . . . Zaiaku." She said, remembering her master's order that in the presence of other people, they were to act as sisters.
"Well then Arien, what do you say to going on a fly with me sometime?" Dark asked. He was sure of himself, and his aura radiated confidence. Arien did not even consider his proposition, however. Her master had not told her that it was alright to go anywhere with this boy.
"I am sorry but no." She said, slowly bringing her hand out of Dark's. "I have things to do with my sister. I cannot leave her alone for any length of time."
Dark's expression was a mixture of amazement and confusion. He hadn't expected to be turned down like that, especially not when he had offered to take the girl flying. Even Riku had wanted to feel what it was like to fly. She still didn't like him, but she had wanted to know the feeling of flight.
The sound of sirens reverberating from the museum brought him back to himself. He stole one glance at the girl before jumping up and soaring away towards the Niwa house.
"Um . . . Dark? What just happened?" Daisuke asked, having never thought it possible that a girl apart from Riku could turn him down.
"Some sort of setback, Daisuke." Dark answered. He closed his eyes and let her face appear in his thoughts. "Not to worry. Girls love dedicated men. I'm sure she'll go out with me in time."
Daisuke stayed quiet while Dark erupted into mocking laughter. He had found a challenge in his new sacred maiden, and Daisuke was sure it would mean lots of problems for him. He gazed back towards Suki's house. There's just something odd about all of this. Daisuke began to wonder just what was going on in Suki's family that made him so uncertain.