Chapter Five: Culprit's Identity and The Mysterious Woman

In a secluded part of an unknown town stood an old, two-storey, white, octagon building at the middle of a small clearing surrounded by vast forest. The atmosphere that manifested in the area appeared to be calm at first glance, but the almost infinite tranquility sent off an unease feeling to one's heart. But, despite the dark aura hiding behind the fabrication of peace, the wild animals were living quite normally as though they could sense nothing wrong. However, for someone with keen eyes he would catch the amiss in the place.

Due to the fabricated peace, a stray mouse made it inside the barrier that encircled the old building, alerting someone who lived inside who disregarded the fact that something had trespasses his property. But then again, he was quite dependent on the barrier that can detect unwanted visitor and can transport the said visitor to somewhere ten miles away.

"M'lady." Aoi, who kneeled on his right knee, spoke. Looking up, he asked, "What plan do you have for the crow?"

Before the man was an elegant chair for someone of royal blood on the riser, and from behind a woman in red cloak that had her face overshadowed by the hood emerged from a black curtain, and stood beside the chair. "I want it as my loyal pet, is all." the woman replied; her voice was cool and carried the tone of authority.

Aoi frowned at the response he received. He may be enemy for most of they eyes, but he was still apart of Shino's most trusted friend and brother figure, Sousuke, which only meant the he still cared for the boy. Wondering what the woman had in mind for Shino, he inquired, "What of Shino, M'lady?"

"You still care for that boy?" asked the woman, sitting on the chair.

There was hesitation on Aoi's face, but he answered nonetheless, "...Yes, M'lady." he whispered audibly as he looked down.

Had Aoi been still looking at the woman, he would have seen the smile that slowly morphed in the woman's face. A kind of smile that can only been seen from a mother longing for her child. "...I'm...quite relief to know that."

Hearing those words spoken from someone who could be a fiend of the Eight Dogs surprised Aoi, making him jerk his head back to the one he was serving. "Wha...what do you mean by that... M'lady..?"

"Hmmm?" tilting her head, she said, "I mean what I said. Anyway, you did a splendid job of getting my crow for me. As a reward, I'll give you the bead. However, not until I get back with him."

"Get him...?" repeated a confused Aoi.

"Yes." she nodded. "Him. I better go now. Or else, I might lose my chance."

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After the last night's incident and Kabungo nearly killed Genpachi, morning came at last, and Sousuke sat at the edge of the bed Shino was resting on.

Sousuke had been nursing Shino since last night, because the latter's condition had worsen up a notch, leaving the boy vulnerable. The young man watch his charge with gentleness in his eyes, suppressing his solemn expression. For him, it was as though he and Shino went back to when before the tragedy had happened, when Shino was given a limit in his life, which would not last much longer, and it only worried Sousuke. What if they won't find Murasame on time? Never mind the bead. What would happen to Shino? He asked himself, getting worried.

"Sou..."

Sousuke was snapped out of his musings when heard Shino's weak voice. Focusing on the boy, he noticed how tired Shino was with half lidded eyes and pale complexion. Leaning forward, Sousuke caressed the boy's left cheek with his right hand gently and asked, "What is it? Are you in pain? Need something?" softly.

"No... I... Where's Murasame...? D'you found him yet?"

"I'm sorry, but not yet. But, don't worry yourself, Shino, they're on it already."

"Okay..." Shino trailed off as he dozed once again and fell asleep.

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Meanwhile, Satomi was glaring at the three persons upon entering his study. All he planned to do was read whatever was on his desk and work on it, and check his account so he could manage Shino's pocket money, and rest. However, the first thing that welcomed him were the three persons that he was currently glaring at as he leaned back on the couch,

"So...care to explain why my desk is in shambles and some of my things are broken?" asked Satomi and Dousetsu, Kaname, and Hamaji all spoke up together at the same time, making Satomi's foul mood worsened. Fed up, he bellowed, "SILENCE!" effectively silencing them. "Now, Dousetsu tell me the problem."

"Well, this GUY here-" Dousetsu stressed as he glared at Kaname who was standing to his right before glancing back at Satomi. "-was kissing my sister in an alley." he gritted his teeth.

"But, brother!" Hamaji, who was to Dousetsu's left, stomped her foot and indignantly said, "He's not kissing me!"

"That's right." Kaname nodded his head with his eyes closed and arms folded against his chest. "I'm merely whispering in her ear."

"And WHY are you whispering? And, on top of that, you were in the alley way with no other people passing by. That's suspicious enough." Dousetsu pointed out, which escalated to them bickering again until Satomi decided with a sigh to just drop the issues and ordered them to fix the room firmly, promising an unpleasant thing should they defy him, and left to check on Shino.

When Satomi reached Shino and Sousuke's shared room, he did not bother to knock as he simply opened the door and froze with wide eyes. He was stunned at what he saw, because in the bed lay an eighteen-year old Shino with Sousuke dressing the youngest who then paused and looked at their guardian, Satomi.