Chapter Three: Start of Search
Shino and his friends went upstairs to Satomi's and asked permission to look for Murasame. Satomi granted them that, but on one condition and that was Shino must not go with them. Shino protested at the condition given. He insisted that he should gone with them because Murasame was his responsibility and because he was the one who lost the crow. But, Satomi's word was certain. He said no and that was final.
"Murasame's missing for more than twelve hours. I'm surprised that you still have the strength to stand here." Satomi said leaning his back on his chair.
"Yes, that's right. So please, Satomi. Let me go with them." Shino pleaded.
Satomi sighed. He knew how stubborn his charge was. "I guess I don't have a choice." he said standing up.
"Really?!"
"Of course, no." Satomi reached out to Shino and waved his hand. The boy felt his remaining strength slipped away. His knees buckled and Satomi caught him before he hit his head at the edge of the desk Satomi used. "Sousuke, bring him to his room. After that you can go and search for Murasame." Satomi ordered and they all nodded.
Everyone filed out of the room and of the manor except Sousuke who carried the unconscious Shino and Genpachi who tagged along. Keno, the last one who walked out of the room, noticed that Genpachi split with them, and so he asked, "Where are you going, Genpachi?"
"I'm going with Shino." Genpachi replied dejectedly and without looking back as he walked farther from the group.
Kabungo, who heard the short exchange together with the rest of them, panicked as the thought of his brother together with his ideal woman though Shino was a guy. "What? Aniki, you can't!"
Genpachi halted his pace and turned around to look at them. Sousuke also stopped and turned, curiosity etched on his face.
"Why not?"
"B- because... Aniki... Sousuke will be there for Shino and... I... We need your help for the search, you know."
"True, but Sousuke is the one who knew where Shino collapsed last night and we need someone to be there for Shino when he wakes up."
What Genpachi said was true and everyone but Kabungo agreed on this.
"No! No! You can't!"
"Why?" they asked Kabungo in unison. At that, the youngest of two demons struggled for valid and acceptable reason.
"B-because... Uhm... Ah, the foxes can take care of Shino then we can go."
"But, I saw them out not long ago." Shinobu said.
"Really? Th-then Kaname will do it."
"I saw him out also saying he will meet with Dousetsu's sister and help her shopping." Daikaku said dejectedly.
"What about Satomi?"
"He will leave after ten minutes. He has a meeting to attend." Sousuke said.
"..." Kabungo had run out of options.
"Well, we don't have a choice then. I'll be the one to take care of Shino." Genpachi said. He was about to turn his back when his younger brother pulled him back and desperately insisted that he will do it. Genpachi protested. He said there was nothing wrong if he will take care of the boy. Keno thought that Kabungo was jealous of Shino, so he teased the youngest of the siblings who in return yelled at him. Dousetsu jumped in that moment scolding them for being so loud. Shinobu also joined the group trying his best to calm the paranoid Kabungo while Sousuke just watched at the sideline and sighed at his friends' antics.
Inside, Satomi rubbed his temples feeling an oncoming headache. He heared all the ruckus that was happening just outside of his room. He had a meeting later, his paperworks were yet to be done, did not sleep well because he was worried of Shino, and now those noises that polluted the stillness of place made his day worse. "Haah... I've had enough of this!" he hissed. He then stood abruptly and rushed outside.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Satomi asked the now stunned and frozen males.
"Uhmm..." Sousuke trailed off.
"Speak." Satomi ordered.
"Genpachi wanted to take care of Shino in my place since I knew where Shino collapsed last night, but Kabungo won't let him." Sousuke answered.
"Just let Genpachi and go."
"But, Aniki-"
"No buts. Just do as I say." with that Satomi said they could not opposed, and so they followed.
Genpachi walked side by side with Sousuke who had Shino on his arms to his room while the rest dragged the pouting Kabungo.
Sousuke had instructed Genpachi where the kitchen was in case Shino would ask for something to eat or drink and the medicines in case Shino is unwell before he left.
Genpachi thanked him and sat at the edge of the bed where the boy rested. He watched the boy's sleeping face and caressed his soft cheek gently.
His pale... He noticed.
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Sousuke led the group to the place. Starting from there they split in three groups. Shinobu and Sousuke traced back to Konaya's inn, Dousetsu and Kabungo looked to the other side, and Daikaku and Keno adjacent to them.
"Do you have an idea where Murasame has disappeared to?" Shinobu asked his companion.
"I'm afraid I don't."
"Hm. I hope we can find him."
"Yeah."
Keno had been to many places looking for any clue that would lead them to the whereabouts of the missing crow. He even searched in the garbages hoping to find a black feather. He was too focused on his job that he did not noticed he was doing the job alone until he exhausted himself and asked Daikaku if they could rest for a minute only to receive silence. He turned around and saw that his companion was no longer with him. Little did he knew, Daikaku had split with him from the beginning and instead of helping, he went window shopping.
On the other hand Dousetsu dragged the stressed demon with him. "Come on! Get a grip. We have to look for that crow!"
"But..."
"You are just being a paranoid, Kabungo."
"I'm not! Shino is aniki's ideal wife!"
"What?" Dousetsu stopped, letting go of Kabungo's arm. "But, he's a guy."
"Yeah, and that's the problem!"
"Problem? I don't think there's a problem of Shino being a guy."
"Argh! Dousetsu, listen. Aniki's ideal woman is Shino, but Shino's a guy! What if aniki does something on him?"
"And that something is...?"
Kabungo stared at him and said, "... You are so slow, aren't you?"
"How so?"
"Ahh, never mind. Let's go."
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Genpachi sat on a chair beside the bed Shino was on reading the book he found on the night stand when he heared a heaving sound. He turned to Shino and closed the book imediately placing it back to where he found it and help the now awake boy.
"Are you alright?" he asked only to receive a coughing fit. "Wait here. I'll get you the medicines and water." Genpachi went out of the room to the kitchen to get water and nedicine supplies then went back as soon as possible. He helped Shino sat and gave him the medicine for his cough and a glass of water.
"How are you feeling?" Genpachi asked the seemingly tired boy.
"I'm fine. Where's Sousuke and the others?"
"He's with them searching for the crow. The foxes are out, Kaname's with Dousetsu's sister, and Satomi is in a meeting." he answered.
"I see... So that makes the two of us." now that he mentioned it, Shino felt uncomfortable with Genpachi. Everytime he was with that man he felt awkward after Genpachi said he was his ideal woman.
"Yeah."
"Uhmm... Mind if I sleep?" Shino asked.
"Sure. Just rest in there and if you need anything just tell me. I'll be here by your side."
"Uh... Thanks...?"
"You're always welcome."
Shino rolled to the side, his back facing his only companion. He was not going to sleep really. He just wanted to escape the awkwardness and uneasy feeling he felt around the soldier.