Chapter Six: She

"Sousuke..." called Satomi softly. The man he had called straightened up and faced him. "When did this happen?" he asked.

"Just awhile ago." replied Sousuke.

Rounding the bed, Satomi sat beside the sleeping teen, Shino. He caressed the teen's face and the long, purple hair. Without tearing his gaze, he inquired, "How is he?"

Sousuke let out a sigh through his nose whilst trailing his gaze down to his left, and said, "He's fine...just a tad bit more tired."

"I see."

Silence engulfed the two men that were watching Shino sleep. It was comfortable, but that sensation did not last long as Sousuke gave off his uneasiness, which Satomi felt. However, instead of Satomi asking or Sousuke speaking, they both came into a silent agreement to let the matter slide for now.

.

.

.

.

.

The next day, the group of eight sans Shino and Sousuke started searching for the missing crow. They had already covered the town by late afternoon and yet they found no clues as to where Murasame was taken or anything that would lead them to it.

By the pond in a clearing within the woods the group stopped for a rest.

Shinobu crouched by the pond and stared on the still water, particularly his image. He pondered on the thought how younger he seemed to be than his actual age and thought of Shino. Is he immortal? 'Cause he had been shot before and died, but then was revived by Murasame... Without the crow...what would happen? Will he die?

Meanwhile, as the rest thought of plans, Genpachi thought of Shino. Contrary to what his companions were thinking, he was thinking of Shino beauty. It doesn't matter if he's male. He thought as he stood from his seat by the hollow of the tree and stared up at the setting sun with a longing look. Little did he know his brother was watching him with clear rage on his face that was matched by a throbbing vein on his forehead.

What the hell is with that look? Don't tell me he's thinking of Shino in an appropriate way!? I can't accept this! I just can't! Kabungo screamed inwardly.

"Hm?" lying on his back beside the fuming Kabungo was Daikaku. He pushed his person up upon noticing something behind a bush nearby.

"What is it?" asked Keno, who was standing not far from Genpachi.

"I thought I've seen something move in there." said Daikaku, gaining the attention of everyone as they all walked toward him. Standing up and dusting his clothes, he spoke. "Well, it's probably a stray ani-"

"Help me please!" a woman's voice cut Daikaku's sentence as the men turned to where the voice originated and saw a bloodied and very pale woman crawling through the bush.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Shinobu, Kabungo, Dosetsu, and Keno screamed and hid behind Genpachi and Daikaku. "W-w-w-what is that?" asked a shaken Shinobu.

"Help...me...please." pleaded the woman, looking up.

"I think we should help?" Dosetsu suggested questioningly.

With a shrug, Daikaku went to pick the woman but was halted by Shinobu as he was grabbed by his arm. However, Daikaku was released reluctantly by Shinobu, who had an apparent frown, and continued on picking the worn out woman.

"Let's return to the manor." said Genpachi.

.

.

.

.

.

"What's this?" asked Kaname upon seeing the group Satomi had dispatched to look for the missing crow. "You were task to search for Murasame and you returned with a woman."

"We're sorry...we couldn't find a trace of Murasame still." said Shinobu.

"We felt for this woman. She needs help." added Daikaku.

Sighing, Kaname opened the doors wider and let them all in. "Very, let me inform Satomi first. Meanwhile, you can bring that woman upstairs in one of the guest rooms. Preferably the farthest from Shino's room. And oh, before I forgot...no one is allowed to see Shino yet except for me, Sousuke, and Satomi."

"What?" Genpachi frowned and was about to say more when Kabungo stopped him by pulling his arm.

"We're going home!" yelled Kabungo as he rushed out with Genpachi.

.

.

.

.

.

A door opening brought Satomi out of his focus on paperwork. Looking up in his desk, he saw Kaname walked in and stopped before him. "What is it?" he inquired.

"They're back..." said Kaname. "...but they brought someone with them."

"Oh?"

Kaname nodded. "Yeah. A woman. She looks filthy in her bloodied and tattered clothes. I told them to bring her in. What should we do?"

"Hm." Satomi leaned back on his chair's back rest and let out a breath in light fatigue. "I not expecting this. Hmmm...what should we do?... I think it would be good to welcome her in for now...attend to her needs, and then we can ask her things. From then on we could think of what we should do to her." he paused as he eyed Kaname. "But, I wish they didn't bring her here. I have this feeling that unsettles me since this early afternoon. Oh well..." Satomi shrugged and resumed his paperwork. "Prepare the dining area...have them in for dinner and tell Sousuke to make Shino's soup to dine in their room."

"Understood."

.

.

.

.

.

Shinobu, Keno, Dousetsu, and Daikaku were already in the table, waiting for the rest. They had already cleaned up the woman they had found with the help of Hamaji, who was already back at her dormitory, and let the said woman rest.

Not long after they sat in the table, Kaname sauntered in the dining area together with Satomi who sat at the head of the table.

"Where're Shino and Sousuke?" asked Shinobu, noticing the persons that were not present in the table.

"Little Shino isn't feeling well." answered Kaname. Though he isn't little anymore. "He couldn't get out of bed, so he has Sousuke with him now."

"Will he be alright?" Daikaku asked Satomi.

"...For now...he is as fine as he could get. Though his health will deteroriate if Murasame isn't found soon." Satomi said.

"We'll find him." Keno told them with conviction and defiance in his eyes. "I swear we will."

Satomi glanced at them and saw that everyone all wanted the same thing...

To find Murasame as soon as posible.

I wonder who is that woman. I'd like to see her for myself. Was Satomi's lingering thought as they began to eat.

Sorry for the delay... I was caught up with my midterms. TT^TT I just finished typing this chapter.

Oh... Yaniel, I live in the Philippines.