Chapter Four: Meeting a Savior
When they entered the room it was apparent to Ayumu that it was almost pitch black because the curtains were still drawn. Ayumu stood at the door as eyes walked over to the bed and took the hand that was lying on top of the covers.
"Samantha" he replied gently caressing her hand, "Wake up."
Samantha's brown eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she saw him.
"Eyes."
"Yes, I have brought you someone you want to see. Ayumu Narumi is here right now."
"He is?" she asked with a sound of wonder to her voice that Ayumu instantly caught, "Where?"
"He's by the door? You did want to see him didn't you?"
"Yes, but Eyes" she added sitting up, "Would you open the curtains so I can see him more clearly?"
"Of course" Eyes nodded walking over to the window and pulling open the curtains, making Ayumu close his eyes half way as they adjusted to the light.
Samantha straightened her back as she leaned against the pillow, her long brown hair flowing behind her, and the same smile on her face.
"So, you're the one?" she replied.
"The one?" Ayumu shook his head his eyebrows furrowing.
"Please come closer," she said, "I can barely hear you."
"Oh. Sorry" he nodded moving closer to the bed.
"Eyes" she replied turning to the other teen in the room, "You don't mind if you leave us alone for a few moments do you?"
"No, not at all" Eyes shook his head moving towards the door, "Kosuke and the others are here and I need to tell them what I have asked them here for. I'm sure you will want to see them as well?"
"Naturally" she nodded, "But first I want to talk to Ayumu" she said his first name so easily that the two boys were surprised.
Eyes nodded and departed the room as Ayumu stared back at the figure in the bed. From what he could tell she looked quite frail, a lot like Sayoko but in her eyes was the same strength he had seen in all the other Blade Children he had thus encountered.
"I'm sure that you are a bit confused why I wanted to talk to you alone?" she replied ending the silence.
"Well, I guess so, but you did ask to see me, so it's not that big of a surprise. What is that you want?"
"I just wanted to meet you," she said simply leaning back into her pillow comfortably.
"Huh?"
"I've heard a lot about you Ayumu Narumi."
"From my brother?" Ayumu frowned.
"Actually I have only ever heard about Kiyotaka, I have never actually met him. Not unlike you."
"How is that possible? All the other Blade Children have met him."
"Well let's just say I have been absent for a long time."
"Absent?" his eyebrows narrowed curiously.
"Please sit down" she replied suddenly.
"Huh?"
"You look so uncomfortable standing up. Sit on the bed, I won't bite you I promise."
"You're, very strange do you know that?" he asked as he did as she had requested.
"What do you mean?"
"You're very docile yet you seem to know what's going on. None of the other Blade Children are like that. All I have ever gotten from them are threats and death wishes."
"That's because that's the way they were born."
"What?"
"Did Eyes tell you anything about the Blade Children yet? I mean about the certain classes of Blade Children?" she asked looking at Ayumu directly in the eye.
"He just mentioned it tonight. Something about there being three classes all together."
"That's right" she nodded, "Eye's particular class is generally more aggressive and headstrong. The class I come from is known as the most dangerous but that's only because my class tends to do things in a more passive manner."
"I don't understand" Ayumu shook his head.
"What I mean is, we always think things all the way through before we act. We're very intelligent."
"So that's why Hilbert does things the way he does it," Ayumu replied matter of factly.
"Huh?" her eyes instantly became sad as her eyebrows rose, "You've met Kanone Hilbert?"
"Yea, just recently. I suppose you already know him since you are of the same class?"
"Yes, I know him" she nodded sadly, "But I haven't seen him in a very long time. But enough about that" she cheered up immediately, "Your question, what was it?" she thought out loud, "Oh why am I so different?"
"Didn't you already answer that question?" he asked.
"No, not really. You see in each class there are two people who are different then the other Blade Children. In my case, I don't have the capacity to kill anybody or to hurt anyone. It's just not in me. I am more of a, I am more of a strategist."
"Strategist? You mean you plan things?"
"Exactly. I am far less aggressive then any other Blade Child you'll ever meet."
"Hmm. And your reason for wanting to meet me?"
"Well I think that should be obvious, I wanted to see with my own two eyes the one person who can save the Blade Children."
"So you believe that too?" he said in kind of a huffy voice.
"Don't you?"
"I don't know what I believe. All I know is that I have been dragged into it somehow."
"Not dragged" she shook her head instantly, "I think a part of you wants to really know if it is the case."
"Case?"
"If you really are the only one who can save us."
"Maybe, the only problem is I don't know why? No one is giving me any information that explains it. Who are the Blade Children? Why were they created? And more importantly why do they need to be saved? These are questions I really want answered. Not to mention my brothers whereabouts. No one seems to know where he is," Ayumu added with a sigh as he stood from the bed.
"I see" she nodded slowly, "Well, if Eyes hasn't told you yet, he must have a very good reason."
"You think so" Ayumu replied scoffingly.
"Eyes never does anything unless it is necessary" she nodded, "When the right time comes he will tell you. He won't hesitate. I know, because Eyes cares about the Blade Children more than anyone I have ever met. They are his family. He has spent the past ten years protecting them from danger. I also know that's one of the reasons why he became famous. Even though he is a target, the others are safer as long as he is in the spotlight."
"You seem to know him very well," Ayumu observed, "Especially since you are not even of the same class."
"I grew up with Eyes" she replied, "Even though we are of different classes we are the same age. That's because I was born last in my class and he was born first in his. For many years we were best friends. I guess we still are except for" she stopped becoming sad once more.
"Except for?" Ayumu urged her to continue.
"Never mind" she shook her head, "Anyway I am really pleased to finally meet you Ayumu Narumi. I look forward to our next encounter."
"Yea" he nodded smiling slightly, "Me too."
As the silence entered the room the door opened and Eyes appeared once again.
"Eyes" Samantha replied her eyes softening once more.
"Are you done with your talk?"
"Yes" she nodded, "He is an amazing person."
"Only you could say so."
"Eyes that's unkind" she frowned slightly and he nodded his head as Ayumu and he headed for the door.
"Is there anything you need before I depart?" he asked as Ayumu walked out in front of him.
"No, just tell Kosuke and the others I am ready to see them now."
Eyes nodded a second time and then closed the door behind him.
(Next Scene)
Ayumu and Eyes entered the spacious living room once more, told the others minus Hiyono to see Samantha and then sat down, Eyes once more at his piano, while Ayumu sat down next to Hiyono on the couch.
"So what do you think?" Eyes asked.
"What do I think about what?" Ayumu said back.
"Well what do you think about Samantha for starters?"
"I think she may be the only Blade Child that I can deal with" Ayumu replied sarcastically.
"Hmm" Eyes smiled, "That's not surprising. She is the most easygoing of all of us. That much is certain."
"Rutherford."
"Hmm?" Eyes looked at him directly his silver hair falling over his piercing eyes.
"She's not the only reason you called me here is she?"
"Actually, she is the very reason I called you here" Eyes nodded standing from his piano bench and walking over to the windows, "Because Samantha is one of the First she is the one that will be the most hunted. I believe when I found her she was running from something. Probably a hunter."
"Oh dear" Hiyono said worried.
"She's safe here, but I cannot watch her when I am out of town. The other Blade Children have tasks of their own, so therefore I am asking you Little Narumi" Eyes turned around and faced them, "To look after her when I am away."
"Me?" Ayumu said surprised as he stood up.
"Yes. The other Blade Children are far to recognizable however not many hunters know about you yet, or Miss Yuizaki. You can get into my building far easier then anyone else can. And it won't look suspicious."
"But some of the hunters know about me, don't they?" Ayumu replied.
"I really couldn't say" Eyes shook his head.
"What about the ones in the hospital?" Hiyono interjected.
"I am sorry?"
"You know the ones that kidnapped me and Ryo that time. They know about me and Ayumu."
"Oh I wouldn't worry about them if I were you" a voice spoke up from behind.
They all turned to see Kosuke returning from Samantha's room.
"Asuzuki?" Ayumu raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"
"Those hunters are incapacitated now" Kosuke said with a knowing grin as he sat on the couch and placed his hands behind his head and swinging his left foot as it hung over his right knee.
"Incapacitated?" Hiyono asked.
"That's right. Rutherford and I took care of them."
"How? When?" Ayumu said surprised.
"That's our business" Eyes replied, "As I was saying, I need someone to be here for two weeks to look after Samantha as she recovers. Little Narumi will you do this task as I have requested of you? In return when I come back I will start answering your many questions."
"You're going to tell me what I want to know, if I just look after her for two weeks?" Ayumu asked.
"That's right. I know you have school; she'll sleep most of the day. I just ask that you come before school, make sure she gets a good breakfast, and then come by after school and stay until Kosuke or one of the others show up."
"We can do that right Ayumu?" Hiyono said with a winning smile.
"Hmm. Rutherford, you're not going to go back on your word are you? You'll really tell me what I want to know?"
"I promise" Eyes nodded.
"Then you got yourself a deal" Ayumu agreed with a nod of his own as they shook hands, "When will you be back?"
"The first Monday of the third week, I trust that you can handle things until then. Here's my house key" he handed Ayumu the door key as well as the main door key, "I leave her in your hands."
"Understood" Ayumu nodded pocketing the set of keys in his jacket, "Come on Hiyono we got to go."
She nodded as he headed to the door and bowed her head.
"Thanks for having us Mr. Rutherford" she said politely as she followed Ayumu out the door.
"You didn't tell him did you?" Kosuke asked as he moved up next to Eyes.
"I didn't think it was necessary just yet. Besides I am counting on you to look after things" Eyes added walking back over to his piano.
"Don't worry" Kosuke nodded, "I know what to do."
(Next Scene)
On the train ride home Hiyono dozed peacefully on Ayumu's shoulder as he pondered over the days events.
"The Blade Children? What sort of secrets do they harbor? What sort of burdens are upon them? So much so that they seem to be walking on a thin line all the time. Kiyotaka" he shook his head sadly, "What are you expecting of me? What is it that I can do that you can't?"
Meanwhile by the docks a teen in a long trench coat watches as the sun sets his hazel eyes focusing on the moon that has recently appeared in the sky.
"Little Narumi" he whispers as he smiles his short mahogany hair falling over his eyes, "I have got a surprise for you."
(To be continued..)