"What?" I thought to myself "the nekomimi extremists revolt… people being murdered… traitors… now threats?" I tried to ponder who could be behind all this… "would this have anything to do with the attacks on Andrade's house? No I don't think it would be that… counterattack from the extremists for the death of the informant that worked with Lívia? I didn't believe it was that as well… someone trying to intimidate… as to make my guard to go down? Maybe… but from whom might I have something…" I was thinking about that when Dawn's image came to my head; "Of course!" I thought "Silva must have probably recognized her on the party and now wants her back!" quickly I took my team communicator and called Enma, when she answered I said:
Enma, Richard speaking; we have a problem, I received a threatening mail today and I think that our friend Silva might be behind this… if it was possible, could you come here today?
Oh the wonderful Rick invites me to his house? Leave it to me, I shall be there in half hour;
Agreed then, I am counting on you – I replied hanging up in sequence.
I turned off the device and finished what was left of my coffee; I then made some of my Sunday tasks and after exact thirty minutes Enma arrived dressed, as unbelievable as it may sound, in a decent manner; we greeted each other and headed towards my meeting room, then as soon as we were sat on our places, I began my explanation:
Enma, we received a threat letter – I handed it to her then – what do you think?
Hmmm let's see – Enma then started to read the letter and examine it – well Rick I believe this is at least suspect…
What do you mean? – I asked, because I didn't expect that answer.
A letter like this in the past – she then pointed to it – before all the technology, was very efficient way to threaten someone, however there are always evidence left on those – she looked at the it again – even if all the necessary precautions are taken, if it is sent by mail, it leaves to us information as to where it was sent; in case it has been delivered by hand… even worse.
And that means…? – I asked as I had an idea as to why; I just wanted to check if we shared the same idea.
It means that someone is deliberately is trying to make this be too easy, for us to find them… as in a hunt or… - she then hit the letter with the back of her paw – someone that might be very intelligent and clever… and is trying to guide our investigations so as we might find the "culprit" he wants us to…
I comprehend – actually I had that in mind, however Enma didn't know anything about Dawn; that is why I said – and if it is a personal vengeance?
What do you mean Rick? – Enma asked intrigued, then I explained what happened to everything related to Dawn; then she placed her placed her paw on her chin and meditated for some moments – I understand… then I believe this case might be… more of a provocation rather than a threat… as it is too obvious…
I agree – we really thought alike each other – however I really dislike staying on the defensive… I would like to know more about him… what he is planning… when do you think he will search for you?
Unless I am really getting rusty on my old age – she smiled maliciously, looking at the wall clock – he should be calling here at any moment.
He will call here? – I asked astonished – do you really think that Silva, among all people on the kingdom would call here?
Well, I am aware of the things that goes between you two Rick – she smiled maliciously again – however… I left to him a way to deal with it…
And how would that be? – I asked intrigued.
You shall see soon – replied Enma with a satisfied face.
We then chatted about non important stuff, for some moment I didn't want to leave the room at that time… something told me that we should stay… that was stupid… this time I shouldn't have listened to that intuition… it was past eleven am when my table phone rang, it was Maria saying that even though she said it was probably a mistake, there was someone that insisted on talking to this "Enma" person; as soon as heard her saying that, I pointed to the kitsunemimi the extension and ordered her to get it and listen.
As she insisted there was a childhood friend of hers lodging with us here… I thought it was better if I checked with you Richard.
You did very well Maria-chan – I replied pressing a button so as Enma could listen to this as well – what is this person's name?
She said she was called Rika.
I understand – I looked at Enma, which nodded to me – you can transfer the call to us, as she is in front of me.
I comprehend, just a moment – then I listened to the transference song; after some moments the talking tone was heard again.
Montecchio Richard speaking, to whom I talk to? – I asked in a serious, but polite tone.
R… R… Rika! Takara Rika! Pleased to meet you Enma's uncle! –replied in a shy manner a female voice on the other end of the line – c… could I talk w… with E… Enma-chan p… please?
Enma, do you know anyone called Takara Rika? – I asked winking to her, I needed to do that to add realism to our hole set up, seeing everyone knew I was a careful person.
Yes uncle Rick – replied with a more teenager voice – she is my best friend, I know her since she moved close to me.
Alright then – I replied, preparing to "transfer" the call – Rika-chan, I shall transfer the call now to my niece Enma-chan, see you – then I pressed the transfer button, but I kept listening to the conversation.
Rika-chan! – said Enma as soon as the call was transferred – long time no speak! I was already missing you a lot girl!
Y… Yes! Y… You are on Verona's capital, aren't you? – poor slave, Silva would probably be fulminating her with his look right now.
Of course! Uncle Rick already took me to a luxury party that one of his friends threw, everyone kept looking at me!
T… That is nice, Enma-chan; but what do you intend to do? W… What are your plans? I wanted so badly to talk to you personally… do you know a cool place where we can hang out? I will be in the city in the morning to do some shopping with my mom.
Let me see – I wrote "Café Mew Mew", the city's most famous - … what do you think if we met on Café Mew Mew?
Café Mew Mew? – she seemed like she was thinking, but I surely she was saying that to Silva – yes that sounds very good, w… what about 08:00 in the morning so we can have breakfast together?
Agreed, I can't wait to see you again darling, it has been quite a long time since I don't do anything perverted with you – she then laughed.
E… Enma you dummy! Well tomorrow we shall meet, I need to hang up now, see you soon dear Enma.
See you sweetie, bye – she replied hanging up as well.
Enma – I commented astonished – I am actually very impressed how you manage to make up stories so easily!
Skills needed for the profession Rick… is there something else you desire? – she replied while standing up, heading towards the exit – otherwise I wish to take some time to prepare myself for tomorrow… unless you – she smiled then with extreme malice while biting her lips seductively, leaving slightly uncomfortable – want something more… sexual before lunch?
No! – I replied politely, but energetically – things are good as they are Enma, just show up here tomorrow so we can arrange the details of what will be done regarding Silva, alright?
Yes yes… - replied Enma with a frustrated face, waving goodbye to me with her paw and leaving the room.
I spent some moments meditating, when suddenly I decided to check how the process of preparing Kikuri was and how Enmie was dealing with this both physically and emotionally, I crossed the room and saw Akira sitting on the sofa, she tried to come to my side to follow me, I ordered her to stop gently with a hand sign and said: "Not yet little one", which was promptly obeyed her, returning back where she was initially; I was walking through the corridors towards the nursery direction when, in a T junction with another passage, I met with Momiji and Saori that probably entered through the east entrance to bring what was borrowed from home to the party; when I saw them, they greeted me:
Richard, it is good seeing you here – said Momiji, waving to me – we already finished to disassemble everything that belonged to here and was at the party and brought it back, I hope we haven't taken to long.
The silverware and dishes you lent us are already in the kitchen under the care of Yumi – Saori said that and bowed to me – I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for all this… you don't know how much this made… my brothers and sister… extremely happy.
D… Don't… worry about it Saori… you don't need… to thank me… - I replied with voice twice filled with emotion, for the little ones and Saori.
Yes we have to – replied Momiji, looking around – you know where Kikuri is? She was so hyper yesterday that we wanted to check how she was doing… if she rested well.
Yes! – nodded energetically Saori – could you tell us where she is at now? I want to hug her so badly now, I want to say I love her a lot for asking something to you that would make everyone happy!
Y… Yes… I know… where she… is now – I replied trying to hold in the tears at any cost – I w… was on my way… to see her…
That is great! – exclaimed Saori, merrily – you wouldn't mind if we went together with you right?
O… of course… - tried to say no, but couldn't.
We then headed towards the nursery, the two nekomimi followed me talking lively behind me, apparently not knowing exactly where we were going, I tried vainly to tell them what happened, where we were heading at that moment, not a single word managed to find its way out of my mouth; everything turned completely silent when I stopped before the nursery door and placed my hand on the opening handle, I couldn't move it, I just looked towards the ground and froze, every move of my body refused to act; that didn't go unnoticed to Saori, that asked in sequence:
R… Richard? Why did we… stop here? Weren't us going to meet Kikuri? – the she looked at the door since I was still silent – u… unless she is… inside there, isn't it? I know… she overdid herself… and didn't feel too well… that is why she is being treated there… right?
… - once again I was just silent.
Then… she just needs… to spend some time in there… and she will… be alright… right? – asked Saori again, becoming even more anguished.
… - I just managed to shake my head this time.
K… Kikuri… is well… now… i… isn't it… Richard? – asked Saori, now with an extremely worried feature, placing her paws on my chest and shaking me lightly – she will… get through this… won't her? She will… be well… won't… her?
F… F… F… - I made an ungodly effort to say something, however added to my voice, tears also found their way to the exit, running around my face – f… forgive me… S… Saori-chan… for… Saint Meow… forgive… me…
W… What do you mean… Richard? – asked Saori with already a lot of emotions on her voice, also already crying – please… tell me… she is well… tell me my sister… for Saint… Meow…
S… Saori – I began telling her the news in the most delicate way I was able at the moment – K… K… Kikuri… yesterday at night… together with me… left… us… - as soon as I said that I lost all balance I had so awful I was feeling, I leaned against the door frame, I placed one of my hands on my forehead crying more intensely.
N… N… N… No… it can't be… I don't believe it… no… not my sister… my dear… sister… no… no no no no no! – she then entered a state of complete despair, crying even harder and turning towards the door, beginning to scratch it on a vain attempt to open it – SIS! SIIIIIIIS! OPEN! IT IS ME! YOUR LITTLE SISTER! SAORI! OPEEEEEN!
I couldn't move, seeing Saori on that state was as if something had burned inside my being, it was indescribable how it was hurting me, even if they were different to me, she resembled Kikuri; I admit I also was feeling envious, never that my siblings would be this desperate in case I passed away, as a matter of fact a lot of them would actually commemorate my passing; right after I thought that Enmie opened the door worried with the noise, the nekomimi raced inside the room and, upon arriving beside the sister body she emitted a big lament placing then her head over the her sisters chest, crying even harder saying "No sis… no… you promised… that you would see… me marry… Momiji… it isn't fair… you lied to me… come back to me… please…" Momiji hinted he was going to try to talk when Enmie stopped him, saying:
Momiji, stay at Saori's side now and talk to Richard later, alright? – she pointed then to his fiancée.
A… Alright Enmie… you are right – then he headed towards her.
Richard, leave the rest with me and rest ok? – she then touched my forehead with her paw, allowing some white rays leave thought it – just get ready… tomorrow shall be a really hard day to you.
All I was able to do was to nod to her and leave them alone; I called Akira and told her about what happened and in the beginning she cried a lot, however moments later she stopped all of a sudden, intrigued I decided to ask:
Akira-chan, are you alright? – I hugged her next – you stopped crying all of a sudden.
It is because I need to be strong… because my dear… is suffering right now… and needs me strong right now…
Thanks Akira-chan… - I hugged her the strongest without hurting her – thank you very much… you don't know… how much that means… to me…
The rest occurred like a blur, not because it was enjoyable, but actually because my brain was so numb from all that happened that it hardly managed to keep much stuff in it; I record Akira's small black dress, beautiful although very fitting for this occasion, spend the whole afternoon and night sitting beside Kikuri's coffin, a heartbroken Saori and Momiji on the other side; the following morning arrived and the fatidic time to place my girlfriend on its final resting place, that was when it was given the chance to someone say something in honor of the passed away one; both me as her sister and her fiancée couldn't muster anything to say as we just cried, surprisingly enough Enmie stepped forward and asked if she could say some words, which was promptly accepted; that was when she cleared her throat and said:
The definition of "life" in the book of Science and Life with which I used to read while learning the nursing skills is: "the process in which living beings are born, grow, reproduce, age and die"; but life, in truth I speak to you, is much more than that; at least that is what the thousands of life history of all races lead us believe; there is something between being born and dying that makes unique, and it isn't the amount of time that we spent on the planet but actually how we spend this time; Kikuri spent hers very well; that is why those words that end here have not the objective of changing anyone's mind; it is simply a tribute to someone that lived life with dignity until the very end; as everything should be – she then silenced herself.
Even though Enmie's message had an obscure meaning, I felt something greater on it; that is why everyone smile lightly when we finished Kikuri's burial, we then left home in sequence; I spent the rest of the day dizzy, I didn't know what to do, or even why should I do one thing or another; I just know that when the night arrived after having not eaten at all during all day, I ordered Akira to stay out of my room that day and to sleep with Dawn and Dusk as I was doing to drink, and I wanted to avoid what happened the last time; she understood and left me all alone, it was already past ten pm when someone entered my room, I was drunk alright, but I still understood what was going on; I looked behind and saw no one else than Yumi that had just come in, saying in sequence:
Sweetie… I c… came here because… - said in a uncommonly shy voice for Yumi, while she got near me – I think you need someone with you right now…