The day flew by and it was nine o'clock when all the dolls settled. Kanaria went back to her medium, Hinaichigo slept soundly and Jun was none the wiser about the Rozen Pages mission.
It was Shinku, Suiseiseki, Souseiseki and the two new dolls who carried the information. But Suiseiseki had retired stubbornly into her case and flown out Jun's window, shattering it in the process, before Souseiseki could do anything about it.
Souseiseki sighed and looked wistfully at the shattered glass and curtains that danced in the cool wind.
Shinku had also gone into her case and slept, for she didn't want to speak of the situation, not that day.
So it was only Souseiseki left with the two dolls, Shinichi and Katsutoshi.
"Aren't you guys going to sleep?" Jun asked, turning around on his chair.
"No," Souseiseki replied simply before walking out the door, gesturing for the two to follow her. Jun shrugged and went back to his books.
The three made their way silently behind Souseiseki to the room with the mirror, where no one would disturb them.
They sat down in the dim moonlight. Shinichi was looking at Souseiseki as if awaiting orders, and Katsutoshi grinned constantly.
"Shinichi told me about the Rozen Pages," Souseiseki began, looking at the one in ice coloured clothes. "Which doll is it you choose?" She was straight to the point as usual.
Katsutoshi chuckled. "Why in such a rush, Souseiseki?"
He rested his head on his hands in a relaxed manner and grinned some more. "I have yet to see the other two dolls, don't I?"
Souseiseki set his mouth in a thin line. There was Suigintou and Kirakishou still unaware of the Rozen pages, it could be a good thing, but they were the last two dolls that needed help.
"Well?" Katsutoshi asked when Souseiseki didn't answer. "Tell me about them."
To be fair, Souseiseki told him and Shinichi of the two. "Suigintou is the first Rozen Maiden doll. She doesn't associate herself with us very much and her whereabouts are unknown. Kirakishou is the same," she explained simply, taking a glance and Shinichi.
He looked incredibly timid, despite his earlier outburst. Compared to him, Katsutoshi looked confident and sly.
"I see," Katsutoshi murmured. "Well, I have yet to decide then."
"But which doll are you leaning towards?" Souseiseki tried, knowing that the help of these dolls could turn the tables on the Alice game dramatically.
"I saw the one you call Hinaichigo first," he replied with a small shrug. "But I don't like her personality and certainly not the orange one either."
It seems like Hinaichigo and Kanaria are out of the game. Souseiseki frowned but didn't interrupt.
"The other gardener, Suiseiseki, is it?"
Souseiseki flinched at the name. Her twin was certainly mad at her, but she only agreed to Shinichi's help for their own sake.
Katsutoshi smiled, having seen Souseiseki's flinch. "She's your twin, I can tell. But she hadn't said a word to me so I don't know."
Souseiseki released the breath she held. It would be easier if Katsutoshi would choose Suiseiseki, but she doubted that her twin would accept. Souseiseki looked at him again. Neither did he seem very trustworthy.
"That leaves the one in red, and the two you mentioned, doesn't it?" Katsutoshi smiled. "But the one in red barely said anything either, and it seems to me that she already has eyes for a certain detective," he laughed.
Outside the room, Shinku stiffened. She got out of her case as soon as Jun went to bed and fell asleep. She needed to know more, and now she did. She was about to go back to her case before she heard familiar laughter.
A white light shone from the crack in the door hinge and Shinku immediately knew what was happening. Suigintou had crossed, through the mirror.
Souseiseki also recognised the voice and stood up hastily, with Shinichi soon following after. But Katsutoshi simply remained on the floor, looking up at the mirror in curiosity.
"My, what a lovely doll," he commented when Suigintou emerged.
Black feathers fell to the floor and Suigintou looked at the two dolls. "Oh, so you have more friends, I see," she murmured, looking from Shinichi and Katsutoshi.
Shinku couldn't just let things go like that. She swung the door open and stepped forward.
Suigintou saw her immediately and her eyes narrowed.
"Shinku, how awful it is to see you as an eavesdropper."
At that point, Katsutoshi stood up. "What a crowd," he said.
"And who are you?" Shinichi lost his timid demeanour and stepped towards the hovering Suigintou with his hands poised and his artificial spirit hovering.
"I am Suigintou, the first Rozen Maiden doll," she said, eyeing Shinichi, surprised that he was no longer the shy one she had seen at first glance. "Who asks?"
"I am Shinichi, first of the Rozen Pages, sworn to protect Sousei-"
"Shinichi!" Souseiseki interrupted, not wanting Suigintou to find out about the Rozen Pages. But it was too late.
"Rozen Pages?" Suigintou landed on the floor, at eye level to the other dolls. "Protect Souseiseki?"
She chuckled. "This is interesting," she looked at Katsutoshi whom had caught her interest with his constant smile. "Are you sworn to protect a doll?"
Shinku stepped forward. "He isn't but you're not going to get your hands on them," she said strongly, raising her pink cane.
Suigintou yawned and sent sudden black feathers shooting from her wings and pinning Shinku to the wall behind her.
She ignored her cry and turned to Katsutoshi. "I do not like to admit this, but I am ignorant right now, will you help me?" At that, out of instinct, she raised her hand which her rose ring was on towards the one in blue.
Katsutoshi was impressed. He took a look at Shinku who Souseiseki was helping. They were weak in his eyes, and he only chose those with the aura to win. The two blue eyes met, but Katsutoshi was the first to look away.
Suigintou snickered as Katsutoshi bent down and kissed the rose ring. That night, a bright blue light shone through the room for a few seconds.
Katsutoshi stood up again and looked at his thorn ring which had grown a rose in addition.
"Katsutoshi!" Souseiseki freed Shinku and ran over to him. "You can't trust her!"
He sniggered and waved his hand. "But you can't trust me," he replied much to Souseiseki's shock. Then he followed Suigintou through the mirror in which he came, and the two were gone.
Shinku sunk to her knees in defeat.
A/N: Yo. I posted this chapter because Aurora wanted to read it by the sound of her review, so this is to her. *cheers*
I got really determined because of her review,
and thanks to James Birdsong too for reviewing even if it's only a few words. Helps lots. This is to my only two reviewers, I shall never forget you! WOO.
Wait for the next chapter!