Another chapter has been uploaded. Success! I have some things to address though as it seems. Sorry about my author's comment for the last chapter and if it offended anyone... I hope that that can be forgiven. I hope that people will like this chapter, and I think that they will most certainly like the next one. Thanks for all your support, and as always, R&R!

(Oh yeah and an additional note: I saw a couple of clips from this episode of Black Jack, in which him and Pinoko go to a festival? It looked really cute… If anyone can tell me which episode that is, I will be super grateful!)

Chapter Ten

It took Black Jack about two days to travel up to the Arashiyama district on the western side of Kyoto. It was a vibrant little place, riddled with shops and cafes that clustered around the Togetsukyo Bridge, all against the background of the forested mountains that laid beyond the area. Black Jack's journey took him slightly up past Arashiyama, towards the more hilly areas that had whole shrines and small temples that were scattered around.

Shou Usami, as according to the documents, had lived here for most of his life, past the age of twenty five. He was now quite an old man, in his sixties, and was rumored to be a rather well known and respected member of the community and known for his kindness and charitable acts during the holiday season.

The house that Usami lived in was quite modest: it was a quaint little country house tucked back behind the trees, with a long stretch of dirt road leading up to it, and a creek running along behind it.

Black Jack's car bumped nervously up the road, and when he got out of the car, he briefly acknowledged how eerily quiet and peaceful it was. He then approached the door and rapped his knuckles against it—or he would have if the door had not been left open.

"Mr. Usami?" Black Jack called out sternly, confusedly. His pulse quickened as he recognized that the carelessly left open door was not a good sign.

Black Jack stepped inside and called out again. "Mr. Usami?"

"Yes?"

A man popped out from around the corner, one that was sitting in a wheelchair. He used the control stick on the pad to move it up towards him. Shou was a man that had silky gray hair that was tied back in a ponytail and a wrinkled face that was obstructed by a pair of big bright eyes.

"Mr. Usami, I am Doctor Black Jack," he announced, stretching out his hand towards the man.

Shou reached up and shook his hand firmly, with a small smile spreading across his lips. "Black Jack, eh? Haven't I heard of that name before…"

"You probably have. I'm kind of a well known man," Black Jack answered, coughing slightly. "Anyways, I have something that I would like to discuss with you, if you don't mind…"

"Oh!" the man backed up in his wheelchair. "Well come right along in; I was just making some tea."

Black Jack carefully took off his shoes and closed the door, and glanced over at the man.

"Oh that old door swung open again?" the man blinked. "Ah, it happens all the time. I really should fix the lock on that…"

Black Jack entered the kitchen, which was more modern compared to the outside of the house. It had sleek wooden countertops, and looked to be equipped with all sorts of fancy gadgets to make life luxurious.

"You live alone, Mr. Usami?"

"Yes, I do. Not many women opt for a life with a man… well, you know." He took the kettle off of the burner of the stove and rummaged around in the cupboards beneath for two mugs. "But I don't mind. I'm rather a solitary man."

"You have a very nice house," Black Jack commented, "for someone who has only worked as a carpenter."

Shou poured the tea and set it in the tea packets. He then wheeled over to the table and gestured for Black Jack to take a seat.

"Yes," he said with a laugh, now responding to Black Jack's comment. "Yes, my little brother Ren took very good care of me once he had moved up far along the line. Building things was mainly just a hobby of mine, you know? And the best hobbies I think are the ones that are most profitable." He drummed his fingers against the table. "It's really one of my favorite hobbies, since I couldn't do much after the accident."

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh…" he shook his head. "Playing around one day… in the street. A stupid child thing, you know? Got hit by a car… anyways, it's not a big deal now. I get along just fine."

He pushed the mug over to Black Jack and then took a sip out of his.

"So." He set down the mug and cupped it between his hands. "What brings you to my humble little abode?"

"I wanted to ask you about your nephew, Daitaro Usami?"

The man's eyes widened in shock. He sat there for a couple of minutes, and then he turned his head away shamefully, mumbling the name over and over again underneath his breath.

"Oh Daitaro… why would you want to get involved with him?" he glanced up cautiously.

Black Jack smiled coolly and then removed a stack of cash and pushed it across over to him. Shou looked at it rather disgustedly for a minute, and then he refocused his attention on Black Jack.

"You need not bribe me, Dr. Black Jack. I will tell you where Daitaro is. And I won't ask you any further questions, I'm sorry." He held up his hands innocently; apologetically. "Knowing who Daitaro is… it's obvious that you might be angry with him, yes?"

"Very," Black Jack responded coolly. "Where is he, Mr. Usami?"

"Daitaro… the last I heard from him was a while ago." Usami leaned back in his chair; his fingers folded together, eyes directed up towards the ceiling. "He called me from a payphone in Nagasaki, and said that he would be heading up north, halfway between Tokyo and Sapporo, for what he called a 'business deal.' Afterwards he said that he would be returning to Tokyo, and staying at the Twin Dragon inn down in the Kita ward."

"He got that specific with you?" Black Jack arched a brow.

Shou shook his head. "My nephew, I fear Doctor, fears no one. Not the police and certainly not the government."

He tilted his head at Black Jack. "Is that good enough?"

Black Jack just smiled in a way that revealed nothing. "Yes, Mr. Usami. Thank you. If I need to contact you again, I will do so."

He stood up and then left the house, with Mr. Usami following him out. Black Jack headed down the steps and opened his car door, and then from the doorway, Shou spoke.

"Black Jack," he yelled out. "I would be very wise as to not provoke Daitaro and get too wrapped up in his business! I fear very much for you, certainly!"

Black Jack just nodded coolly, and then climbed into his car and drove away.

Well I've got nothing left to lose. He thought as he cruised back down towards Arashiyama.

He started calculating in his head, and determined that most likely; Daitaro would be at the inn in Tokyo already. That is, if he hadn't stopped to take a detour… but Shou seemed to be a very reliable source.

"Next stop, Tokyo," Black Jack announced to himself, gritting his teeth as he once again drove back down the bumpy path.