"So you betrayed your father?" Ciel asked Birju.
"I was tired of Ladakh. So I went and got the land transfer papers and told my dad it was a contract for my apartment in the city. He signed it and I gave it to Ladakh" Birju replied.
"So what happened after your father died?" Alois asked.
"Well, I got a phone call from one of my friends from the temple. He told me that my father was dead and according to tradition I had to perform the last rites and cremate him. By the time I got there, Bhola had already cremated him and thrown his ashes into the river" Birju replied.
"So who found your father's dead body?" Ciel asked.
"Bhola did. He pulled my father out of the water when my father didn't come back from his daily cleansing in the lake" Birju replied.
They left the house and Ciel began thinking. All the stories seemed to match up and everyone's alibis were perfect.
"Bhola was saying the truth, he pulled the body out. But I think he pushed Shankar into the lake" Ciel said.
"The only person who could answer that would be Bhola himself" Sebastian said.
They returned to the temple and spoke with Bhola.
"Yes I pushed him. He betrayed me by giving the land over to Ladakh. Ladakh had even given him fifty percent of the profits. After all that he taught me, he went and sold everything" Bhola replied.
"You betrayed the person who was tricked by his own son. Birju was the one who transferred the land and because of that you killed an innocent man who only ever tried to guide you" Ciel said.
Bhola hung his head as he realized his mistake. He was arrested and sentenced to jail for life. A few days later, Ciel went to visit Damon. He was quite happy to see her and became even happier when he learned that they had found Shankar Narayan's killer.
"I don't have any weird dreams anymore. The psychiatrist even said that I don't have to attend sessions with her" Damon said with a big smile.
"Good. Now remember to always work hard. I was able to solve this through hard work and persistence. I trust you to do the same" Ciel said.
"Thank you" Damon said and Ciel smiled at the thankfulness in his eyes.
"You're welcome" Ciel hugged Damon tightly.
Alois smiled as he looked through the photos in his phone. One in particular made him grin. The photo had been taken by Alois when they were leaving the little area around the temple. Claude had specifically taken time to go and visit the woman who had called him her son.
"I didn't know you cared so much" Alois commented.
"I might look emotionless but I do have kindness. Her son was taken away from her and who knows where he is now. It was the least I could do" Claude replied as he straightened his butler coat.
"That's why I love you. It wasn't your looks but your heart that brought me to you" Alois said.
Claude smiled and then swooped down to kiss his beloved.
Luke sighed as his phone began ringing. He was trying to finish a painting up but he didn't seem to get any ideas in his mind about colors. He had forgotten to put his phone on silent mode, something that he usually did while painting.
He picked up the phone and then furrowed his eyebrows. This was a number that he didn't recognize.
"Hello?"
"Is this Lucas Trancy?" A heavily accented voice asked.
"Yes. Who are you?" Luke asked.
"I am calling on behalf of Arran Parker"
"Arran? What about him?"
"He wishes to meet you. How does Friday at four at Seishun Gardens sound?"
"This Friday? Sure, I can come along. Bye" Luke hung up.
He placed his phone on the desk and then sat down in front of his half completed painting. As far as Luke knew, Arran had been given a year of jail and six months of community service for involvement in murder. Arran now lived in a traditional Japanese home with his sensei and other students like him. Why would Arran want to meet Luke? Why not Ciel or Alois?
That Friday, he made up an excuse to Alois that he needed to do a project for art class and that he was going to Seishun Gardens for some sketching. Alois had told him to take Claude along but Luke refused.
"I'll be fine. I'll be back by six" Luke said.
He took the bus to Seishun Gardens. It was private garden but it was very beautiful. The trees and plants made the place look so tranquil and peaceful. Luke had wished many times to enter but the guards always refused him. This time the guard asked him his name and then let him in.
"Down that pathway is Yukimura-san's temple" The guard said.
Luke walked nervously to the temple but the peacefulness of the area around him soon made him smile and forget his fear. He heard the gentle lull of water and spotted water flowing into a bamboo shoot. Soon the bamboo shoot grew heavy and then tipped over to flow water into the garden.
"Peaceful isn't it?" A voice asked.
Luke turned around and then smile when he spotted Arran. Arran had grown taller and broader, probably from the increased training. His brown hair was longer now and tied back into a neat plait but some strands still fell into his eyes. He was dressed in his traditional robes of black with red trim. On his right shoulder, a red dragon had been embroidered carefully. His sword was strapped at his waist but Luke knew there were hidden knives in his pockets.
"It is. It's nice to see you again, Arran" Luke replied.
"You've changed. I remember the little Luke who used to hug me every time he saw me" Arran said.
Luke stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the taller boy. "I'm still that same little Luke". He said with his voice muffled.
"Come, let me give you a tour" Arran said once they pulled away.
Luke walked beside Arran feeling totally comfortable. Arran had been his idol when Luke had been younger but now he felt like a comrade and friend.
"Did you continue your training?" Arran asked, glancing over at the ginger haired boy.
"Yeah. It wasn't as interesting as it was when you used to teach me" Luke replied with a smile.
"I live here now. Yukimura sensei was grateful to have someone to lead the younger ones. It's nice here. It's quiet and peaceful and Yukimura sensei is very wise. He keeps everyone in line" Arran said.
"It is a beautiful place" Luke agreed.
Arran stopped and bowed low to man dressed in navy blue robes. Luke feeling slightly nervous bowed as well. The man nodded and then walked away.
"That is Chitose-san. If Yukimura sensei is the master, then Chitose-san is his right hand man" Arran said.
"He looks rather scary" Luke commented.
"He is, he hates slackers and lazy people. If you don't do something right, he gives you a spinning kick" Arran said.
"Wow"
They walked ahead and then reached a small clearing. Seated in a meditation stance was a man wearing pure white robes.
"That's Yukimura-sensei" Arran said.
Luke nodded and Yukimura stood up. Arran walked towards him and Luke followed him. Yukimura turned and Luke was taken aback. The only word to describe Yukimura was 'ethereal'. The master had pale skin and beautiful lavender eyes. His hair was black, darker than Sebastian's but his eyes were so kind and compassionate, they made Luke feel loved.
"Good afternoon, Yukimura sensei" Arran bowed low. Luke followed Arran and bowed.
"Good afternoon, Choi. Who is this young man?" Yukimura's voice was strangely feminine but it was too low to be a woman's.
"I'm Luke Trancy. I used to train under Ar-Choi" Luke replied.
"You are a very eager and enthusiastic young man. It is rare to see such innocence in a man your age. However, something tampered your innocence" Yukimura sensei said.
Luke frowned and then looked away. Yukimura reached out a pale and graceful hand to tilt Luke's chin up. Luke's brown eyes caught the lavender eyes of Yukimura.
"Do not worry. Your savior is here" Yukimura said, his eyes shifting to Arran who shuffled uncomfortably.
Luke nodded and Yukimura let him go. "Take him for some tea with Yanase-san. I need to finish up my meditation".
"Yes sensei" Arran bowed again and then led Luke away from the clearing.
Luke rubbed his arms and then turned around to Yukimura. The sensei smiled at Luke before settling down and beginning his meditation again. Things would be getting interesting soon.
The idea for this chapter was given by sebby101. Thanks for giving me an idea to continue this story. Lots more coming soon. Don't forget to review!
