A/N: Omg, another chapter on the second day? xD it's thanks to you reviewers!
In response to Aurora-chan: Yes, but you'll find out soon enough. Hee hee.
After initial fascination was over, most of the dolls had departed. As it was the weekends, Hinaichigo invited Kanaria over to play along with Nori most of the afternoon and Shinku and Jun had gone downstairs to watch Kun Kun solve mysteries.
But Souseiseki remained with her sister with Shinichi in Jun's room.
"So you're a gardener, hmm?" Suiseiseki accused, looming over Shinichi. "And your weapons are weeders, desu?"
But before Suiseiseki could continue, Souseiseki interrupted.
"Shinichi, does father want a perfect boy as well?"
The two girls waited eagerly for Shinichi's answer.
He nodded.
"What, there's another Alice game, desu?" Suiseiseki frowned. "Are there going to be more boys? Do the boys have to fight with the girls? What are you doing here, desu!"
"Calm down, Suiseiseki," Souseiseki said before looking back at Shinichi. She couldn't help but feel a little drawn towards him. His eyes were like whirlpools, endlessly flowing. His features were not typically round but kind of angular.
And his voice, Souseiseki wanted to hear it. It was addictive.
"Can you answer Suiseiseki's questions?" Souseiseki asked, pushing away her thoughts.
He nodded and opened his mouth to speak, "Yes, there will be more but instead of seven in total, there will be three."
"Why three, desu?" Suiseiseki questioned the poor boy, one that had long ago lost his threatening stance.
"Perhaps it is because father thinks us girls will finish the game quicker, and the boy's game will last longer because they're stronger. After all, he did create a boy," Souseiseki mused, having already thought out many possibilities after Shinichi's statement of three.
"No, we do not participate in the Alice game," Shinichi said, surprising the twins.
"What, desu?"
"Father sent us to carry along the Alice game, we three boys will be helping three dolls," Shinichi said.
"WHAT, DESU?" Suiseiseki shrieked. "We don't need your help, why is father doing this?"
"Interesting," Souseiseki said. "And you want to help us?"
"You, specifically, Souseiseki," Shinichi said with a gentle smile. Suiseiseki shrieked some more.
Souseiseki was surprised. "Why me?"
"Because you were the first doll I saw," Shinichi replied with a shrug. "And I like your calm manner."
"But you saw me first!" Suiseiseki protested. "You were in the kitchen first with us!"
"Actually, I didn't see you at all. I merely heard you. Besides, I do not want to help you," he grinned.
"Do you choose?" Souseiseki interrupted her twin's tantrum again. "Is it just because you saw me, that you are bound?"
Shinichi shook his head. "I knew you four seconds before Suiseiseki, which means I have a slightly closer bond to you than any other doll I saw along the lines. And I don't get to pick a different doll after I've kissed one's ring."
Souseiseki thought about the opportunity to become Alice, to see Father and become the ultimate girl. She wasn't sure if her agreeing to it would affect her pride or not. But if she could have help, perhaps he would also benefit Suiseiseki somehow. Suiseiseki certainly wouldn't agree to it so maybe…she could ask Shinichi to protect Suiseiseki as well, without her knowing.
"I agree," she spoke and held out her hand which her rose ring was on. "It's binding, right?"
Shinichi smiled and spoke, "Yes"
Then he bent down and kissed her ring.
"Souseiseki, what are you doing, desu?" Suiseiseki protested, on the edge of tears. "Are you really going to try becoming Alice again, even if it means leaving me?"
A glow of deep green filled the room temporarily before fading and Souseiseki saw that her rose ring had grown thorns around it.
Shinichi's own ring had grown a rose.
"I'm now to serve you, Souseiseki," Shinichi said with a bow.
"This is your only purpose for your creation?" Souseiseki asked. Shinichi nodded.
"Good," Souseiseki looked at her ring again with a smile.
"Souseiseki, you idiot!" Suiseiseki shouted before running out the door, tears flowing freely.
Outside the door, on the left stood Shinku with her eyes wide from what she had heard. Suiseiseki had almost caught her but had turned the opposite direction and run down stairs. Shinku knew that Souseiseki had taken upon the offer.
Even with the new burden of information, Shinku couldn't help but feel a little like detective Kun Kun at that moment.
But she shook her head and frowned. If the words exchanged were true, then there were only two dolls left to help.
She knew Suigintou and Kirakishou would pursue the dolls. They wouldn't miss the chance, even though their pride might be hurt a little.
But would she?
She was the only doll other than the gardeners who knew. She glanced at the stairs. Below the stairs were happy dolls, need she burden them with this new information?
She sighed and began to walk down the stairs, putting on a smile on her face. She decided not to tell them just yet. She would tell Jun instead, and consult him. She knew that even as dim witted as he can be, he did sometimes have moments of wise-ness.
When she arrived downstairs Nori greeted her with someone in her arms. "Hey, Shinku, look!" she cried out. "It's a boy doll!"
Shinku's jaw almost fell open in a un-lady like manner. The doll wasn't Shinichi, so it must be either the second or the third.
He wore long, light blue trousers with white ruffles at the cuffs and a white collared shirt with a light blue vest over it. His hair is black and slick, like a ravens, and his eyes were the same blue as Shinku's.
Nori was grinning. "Isn't he cute?" she was saying. Hinaichigo, Kanaria and Jun had also gathered around.
"Another doll to play with!" Hinaichigo and Kanaria cheered.
Shinku looked around and spotted Suiseiseki throwing food at the wall opposite her again. "Nori, look," she said, pointing at Suiseiseki.
Nori gasped and set down the doll in her arms before storming towards Suiseiseki.
With the doll now at eye level to herself, Shinku was comfortable to speak to it without sounding inferior.
"What is your name?"
The doll blinked and spoke with a smile, "Katsutoshi, the second doll of the Rozen Pages at your service."
He bowed ever so slightly, along with a very sly smile.
"Wait, he's the second doll?" Kanaria piped up. "There's another one?" she squealed and rushed up the stairs.
Jun sighed. "There better not be another one after this or I might not be able to keep up with all these dolls in my house…"
A/N: Changed the story name.. it can't be Shinichi if there's two more. Heh. Don't forget to review!
Fun fact: Katsutoshi means 'to win cleverly'. ;)