Chapter 4 – epiphanies are for idiots, maybe Hontaru's right about me.

...

A/N - I'm a moron and i completely fail. not ONLY did i spell hotaru WRONG, (thank you for telling me, your STAR) but its taking me longer than i thought it would to put some action into this story... I'm really sorry to those that are reading it, but its going to get really good soon, i promise... although im makeing it up as i go along, so im not even sure whats going to happen :(.

...

The sun had yet to rise when I left the house early that morning, I walked 8 blocks to the closest public toilets, once inside I slipped into a new set of clothes then left though the back window, I repeated this process 3 more times walking in the opposite direction from the train station I need to get to if I want to reach my first step to Tokyo.

Even though we live in Shiki – it not as ironic as you think, my grandfather relocated the headquarters here when blessed with a second son strong enough to survive the purge as a gift to my uncle, since it was unlikely he was going to inherit the family. – it should only be a simple plane journey to Tokyo, but I took 2 planes, 5 trains, 6 buses and a cab before I was satisfied enough that if anyone was trailing me they would be hopelessly lost… not to mention my constant changing.
It might have been over kill but I can't afford to be followed, if my dad's there like I think he is then I need to be vigilant.

The sun was beginning to set when I finally reached the small crop of woods, the cottage was situated in the middle, within a small clearing, there were signs that it had been disturbed recently. It put me on guard after all I'm not the only one looking for my father.
I didn't want to arouse suspicion so I didn't take any weapons with me, really starting the rethink my choice. I'm really not sure how many normal people I can take out in hand to hand combat, 3… 4 no more than 5, and that's if they don't have weapons.

The door was unlocked and swung open when I pushed against it, which means that whoever was here left in a hurry… or is unskilled at breaking and entering.
The house was empty; it didn't look like it's been lived in for a couple of months, but it had been lived in. I searched top to bottom for a clue to where my father now was, surely he would have left something for me, some type of message. After searching a good hour, I collapsed by the window seat, it's no use there's not a scrap of paper anywhere in this house. But there had to be something, I'm sure he expected me to come here.

Think Mikan it won't have been taught to you in a lesson, it would be a memory one that's close to you, one he shared. This house showed that… moments when you're together, but there are so many moments I was always with him, I sighed and my breath clouded the window slightly.

Looking up, I stared at my reflection, the light hit the window in such a way that I could clearly see my eyes… his eyes.

I gave a small smile, surely not.

Flashback.

"Look papa, look. The windows going all foggy," my three year old self said smiling. It was raining out, so I was stuck inside, but I didn't mind much, because it just meant I got to spend the time with my daddy.

"That's, condensation Mikan, the water in the atmosphere cools down when it hits the glass turning from its gaseous state into a liquid one." He replied coming over to me.

"Con-den-sa-tion" I broke the word up, looking back at the window. My father smiled then reached up and wrote 'hello Mikan' in the fog. Causing me to giggle.

"That's soooo COOL, can I try?" I said already reaching up and replied 'Hi, Papa' back to him, it started this whole thing between us, where we would leave little messages randomly around the house, for the other to find.

Flashback end

Breathing on the glass, a message started to appear.

'Hey, kiddo. What took you so long? I waited around as much as I could, but I can't stay stationary for two long. Anyway I have to tell you… BEWARE there's a sheep in wolfs clothing.'

The condensed water started heating up again and the message disappeared, for good measure I rubbed the window.

So there was a spy, foolish little creature, only an idiotic sheep, would enter a wolf's lair. One little spy would be easy to take care of, but sheep never wonder far from the herd. And more than just wolf's hunt sheep. I need to fix this problem, but one things clear I can't do it within the house, and I can't ask anyone for help, for that means that the spy might catch on to me.

A plan formed within my mind, it was reckless, and stupid… my favourite type.
But first I have to get back to the house, and I have to do it without arousing suspicion from the one that was watching me, It was stupid of me to not think about them having the house watched.

I guess this place really isn't safe anymore.

I slammed the door and trudged into the woods angrily. Pretending that, I was pissed from not being able to find anything. He was far enough away that I could tell he wasn't going to attack... just merely a sentry.
I huffed my way out of the forest, catching the first cab to the station, and then the train to Shiki. I was home within 2 hours, long before my allotted time was up. I stomped up to my room, keeping up the façade, slamming doors, banging my feet. No way was I going to let the spy see me happy.

When reaching my room I flopped onto the bed, by now whoever was watching me would have torn the safe house apart. And I couldn't guaranty that this room isn't also bugged.

Tomorrow I would have to put my plan into action but for now, it's fine to rest.