"I'm going to need you to be very cautious while using your powers today, Ms. Kurono. Don't make me regret allowing you to come with us."

Kurumu smiled softly as Ms. Kiyomizu pulled her weathered, black sedan out of the parking lot, turning left down the main road which wrapped about the school and town.

"I'll try to be more discrete."

Kurumu was sitting in the back seat on the passenger side. She had on her orchid, short sleeved blouse. The pleated front was stretched out by the swell of her bosom. Her hands rested in the ruffled fabric of her black skirt which hung over her knees.

"It's too bad that Elder Kunai wasn't the mastermind behind everything."

Kurumu chuckled softly at Yukari's comment. The little witch was beside her, wearing a sleeveless denim shirt with loops for the black suspenders attached to her denim skirt. Huge pockets obscured the subtle swell of her underdeveloped chest. Her yellow tote was placed next to Kurumu's purse between them.

"Yea. I was caught up in his emotions. He's lost so much over the years. He's scared of losing this town."

"But he still has family. I recall that his older son runs the bank."

Kurumu nodded at Tora, sitting on the other side of Yukari. The sphinx had on a black polo and textured gray slacks. Her raven locks were braided and she had her purple clutch in her lap.

"He has two sons. Saisaki and Makoto. His younger son is named after his servant."

"Do you think that servant started the fire?"

Kurumu smiled at Rubi's query. The older witch was in the front passenger seat, sporting a long sleeved, black, fishnet shirt over a black tank top. Rubi had on that glossy black skirt with the huge silver zipper in the front. Black straps with silver buckles were clipped to the top of the skirt in the front and back, going over her slender shoulders beneath the fishnet top. Black fishnet stocking swept down her legs to her black platform boots with the silver buckles. She also had brought her purse.

"I don't think so. It would make no sense for Kenji to confront Elder Kunai with the arsonist standing on the other side of the door."

"But that doesn't mean Kizen Makoto wasn't involved."

Kurumu nodded at Ms. Kiyomizu's conclusion as they passed by the turnoff for the parking lot to the chapel. Tora was skipping church once again.

"That's what I think. He's the one whom put it in Elder Kunai's head that my mother killed Kenji."

Ms. Kiyomizu sounded an acknowledgment as she continued driving down the road at a steady pace. The teacher was garbed in a dark blue blouse with a tight fitting black skirt stretching down her calves. She had met them in the parking lot behind Kurai dining hall. If Lord Inazuma felt the situation required it, Kurumu would be allowed to use her powers on Kizen Makoto.

"Too bad that Ginei didn't come."

Yukari huffed as they cruised by the parking lot for the school.

"He would only cause trouble."

"Agreed. We can always help Senior if he needs material for his article."

"I bet you are happy that your mother's name will be finally cleared."

Kurumu smiled thinly at Yukari.

"Elder Kunai was the only one strongly pushing for my mother's guilt. Most people were just regarding the death of his grandson and the cause of the town fire as unsolvable crimes."

As they sped around a bend in the road, Kurumu sighed at a sudden thought. Somewhere near here was the trail leading off to the flower field. Obviously there were no plans for flying today.

"I spent most of yesterday with Headmaster Sendou and I didn't think to ask about keeping our flying sessions on the weekends."

"Not that we would be doing that anyways."

Kurumu pouted at Tora.

"It's only against the rules if we don't have permission."

"I meant that the girls weren't going flying today even if we did have permission."

Kurumu frowned as they cruised by the paved entrance for the parking lot north of the athletic fields. She glimpsed the two identical buildings which the judo and karate clubs used as dojos before the road was flanked by trees on both sides once again.

"Why not?"

"Because today is Ms. Taijin's seventeenth birthday."

"And they didn't invite me?!"

Tora laughed softly as the sedan crossed a bridge spanning a stream.

"You can blame Ms. Shindou for last minute planning. She told me about it during lunch on Friday. She probably was going to invite you but you skipped your choir club."

"You could have mentioned this yesterday."

"I'm sorry, Kurumu, but I declined her invitation without asking any details. I don't know what her exact plans are or when they were going to meet up."

Kurumu grumbled, mulling over the excuse.

"Well it must be early enough for you to say flying was out."

"I embellished that part. I genuinely have no idea what time this is. It could be in the afternoon."

"Maybe we could wander around town when we are done helping Lord Inazuma."

Kurumu smiled at Rubi's suggestion. They were already crossing the second bridge. There was a gravel road not far up ahead on the left which emptied into a lot in front of the abandoned prison.

"I suppose we could do that. I do want to stop by the bed store again to see what I can afford with the money I have left from that refund."

"Are you needing a new bed?"

"The frame and bedding is old. I've had it since kindergarten."

"It also reeks of sex."

Tora clucked her tongue at Yukari's input.

"That did not need mentioned."

Ms. Kiyomizu snickered as they followed the curve of the road at a steady speed.

"Don't let me forget about buying you that skirt again. We should do that before your bed shopping."

It was not long before they were out of the woods. They shot by the paved drive which emptied into the parking lot north of the hospital. This had startled Kurumu yesterday as she had thought that this was the only parking lot on this side of town. To her surprise, there was a small, three story parking garage beside the Grease Monkey service center that she had never paid much attention to.

They coasted by a road which ran into the town, narrowing the moment it reached the structures. Their vehicle slowed as they approached another road doing a similar thing. This huge warehouse on the left was the Swings facility which had batting cages and a golf driving range. The building beside it had four banquet halls inside it. Ginei had thrown two parties in that establishment last year.

They eased into a left hand turn, meandering down the drive. The first structure on their right was the hotel. It was a four story building with drab, beige walls like the banquet hall across the street. Aware that Mr. Yanagita owned both facilities, she wondered if they had been built at the same time.

Ms. Kiyomizu slowed the vehicle down even more when the road narrowed to fit in the small space between the two structures. She rolled carefully through the first intersection which was shared by the two car service establishments. Both places had roll up doors facing the streets for cars to pull in. The Grease Monkey was this gray stone building on the right with the doors all up. The black building on the left was Idatsu's auto shop with all of its doors presently down.

The teacher made a very slow right hand turn into an alley between the Grease Monkey and a squat, single story building that might be one of the many abandoned structures in town. They came into an open area behind the service center, turning right again towards the enclosed parking garage. The sedan coasted under the curved stone of a ramp leading to the upper levels. The teacher turned right again, ignoring the ramp up and easing down an aisle between parked cars.

It only took a few seconds to spy the silver sedan that Lord Inazuma had arrived in. Ms. Kiyomizu pulled into a nearby vacant space, putting the car in park. She turned off the engine.

"Let Lord Inazuma do most of the talking, ladies. We're only here if he needs us."

Kurumu sounded her understanding, opening her car door at the same time as Rubi and Tora. Grabbing her purse, she got out of the vehicle. Dim lights hung from the concrete overhead, providing most of the illumination in this garage. The concrete walls marking the perimeter were interrupted by the occasional black mesh for venting purposes.

Having done this yesterday, Kurumu walked with purpose down the aisle towards the door which was between the first and second parking spaces directly across from the entrance. Yukari hurried to catch up to her, succeeding before Kurumu reached her destination. Smirking at the witch, Kurumu quickened her step to arrive at the portal first. She tugged it open, holding it for the others.

Once everyone was through, Kurumu stepped out into the small street beyond. The hotel entrance was across the street slightly to the right. Off to the left, this street ended at the recycling and waste disposal center. This brown building beside the parking garage was the Hand Me Downs second hand store.

Kurumu jogged a few steps to catch up with the others as they made their way to the revolving glass doors. Yukari was through the cylinder first with Tora behind her. Hefting the strap of her purse up onto her shoulder, Kurumu gestured for Rubi to go ahead. She waited for the witch to push the pane of glass forward enough for her to have access to the following space.

Grabbing the steel bar mounted across the glass barrier, Kurumu pushed the door about the central spire. She stepped into the marble tiled floor beyond, feeling a gust of air from the ceiling above. On her left was the front desk which had two men in white dress shirts standing at the ready. The wall on her right was lined with benches with a door between them which gave access to a hall. That hall flanked the meeting room which the fencing club had rented for their December party.

Two familiar men garbed in Fairy Tale uniforms got up from the benches. The broad guy with the bald head and huge nose was the driver while the other guy was the one with the feathered locks.

"Good morning, Ladies. It's about time you got here."

"Where is Lord Inazuma?"

The broad guy grunted while the tengu chuckled, thumbing behind him.

"He's in the dining room with Mr. Yasei. I can… nevermind."

The tengu snickered, realizing his colleague had taken off without saying a word.

"Mr. Yamakawa will be right back with our fearless leader."

Kurumu smiled, having picked up the name of this guy. Tobikumo Sukoshi was the youngest child of his family in Koutoukumo. He was single and available if she was interested which had discouraged her from finding anything else out about the man. She could feel his approval of her attire.

"That was an interesting meeting last night. I doubt anyone expected you to shoot down the notion of there being a plot against your friend in the hospital."

Kurumu shrugged nonchalantly, avoiding eye contact with the guy. Then again, he was not interested in her eyes. His attention was for everything below her chin.

"I only know that Elder Kunai isn't responsible. He's still a jerk."

It was not long before Lord Inazuma rounded the corner at the end of this foyer. The bald driver and the guard with the rugged mess of curls followed in his wake. All had on the same attire from yesterday, either owning multiple uniforms or wearing the same clothes. Kurumu was not about to ask.

"Good morning, Ms. Kiyomizu. Ladies."

Kurumu and her friends murmured an obligatory response.

"Hopefully today's investigation won't be as troublesome. You said that you know where Mr. Kizen lives."

Kurumu nodded, backing up a step.

"Yes. I saw it in Elder Kunai's memories."

"Lead the way."


"And here is the site reserved for the future primary school."

Kurumu gestured at a massive vacant lot on her right before they crossed the narrow street of the next intersection in the old residential district. Grass and bushes had claimed most of the level ground which was enclosed in the same black, chain link fencing surrounding the school's athletic fields.

"Ah yes. Mr. Tensai mentioned this over dinner last night. I understand that the issue is about the salary of teachers. The town will have to pay for that."

Kurumu frowned as they crossed the intersection. A two story home with faded pink siding and black shutters flanking the windows was on her left. White picket fencing surrounded the yard with a gate in the center facing the other street. Black tiles covered the roof which swept towards the back. A white porch was built before the main door which also faced the other street.

"Fairy Tale won't pay for teachers?"

Mr. Tobikumo snickered, admiring her figure from behind.

"Not in villages where Fairy Tale doesn't collect taxes. One way or another, the people pay."

"That is the biggest issue I'm facing in Uchimori. The town elders remain unconvinced that my proposed improvements will be beneficial to them."

This next house on the left had yellow siding with the main door and gate facing this street. It was the exact same style as most of the homes in this district. There was a gap in the fencing between this home and the brown house beside it, allowing access to the space behind these residences.

"Would it be easier to put everything in Moegara?"

"The people in Moegara trust Fairy Tale even less, Ms. Kurono. With a good chunk of their population being monstrels, they would prefer minimal interaction with us."

"Could they help pay for things?"

"They intend to pay the tuition fees of the junior high, which will alleviate the cost of operation. Where is Mr. Kizen's residence?"

Realizing they were reaching the end of this street, Kurumu gestured to her left at the faded black house on the corner which faced the intersecting street. There was a gap ahead of them between red brick walls that marked the perimeters of the large estates flanking this final street. This two story mansion peering over the barricade on the right belonged to Mr. Tensai.

"It's this corner house. That big mansion across the street is Elder Kunai's home."

"That will be convenient if we need to speak with Mr. Kizen's employer."

Kurumu nodded as they reached the end of the street, turning left.

"Are you lacking money to build in Uchimori?"

"Lord Kenmei allocated some funds to help my transition into this role. It's not nearly enough to build a hospital which will require a beneficiary."

Kurumu stopped at the wood gate in the center of the fence. The bald driver promptly reached over the gate to pull up the latch, pushing the gate open.

"Did the hospital in Mononoke have a beneficiary?"

Lord Inazuma chuckled, lingering at the gate.

"I understand that Mr. Tensai built the town's hospital at a very discounted rate which was part of the deal Mr. Murase made with Lord Agano back in 68."

"Yet Fairy Tale still pays for all services provided by his hospital despite not collecting taxes here."

"That is why Mr. Murase's hospital is understaffed. His hospital is last in the order of priority when it comes to the monthly prefectural budget set aside for healthcare."

Kurumu nodded, understanding things a little better.

"It would be nice if Fairy Tale had more presence in this town."

"That would make things easier on me. Hopefully my afternoon meeting with Mr. Motegi will result in getting us an office here."

"And I want to be first on the list of staff here."

Lord Inazuma smirked at Mr. Tobikumo.

"I thought you wanted to be at the new office in Uchimori."

"For years I've been wanting any post that doesn't involve me being a prefectural gopher. But if I have a choice between Uchimori and Mononoke, I'm picking here."

"You wouldn't be able to come and go on a whim."

Kurumu shivered when the guard favored her a look.

"I don't mind the scenery."

The prefectural officer shrugged, turning his attention upon them.

"I want you girls to stay out here with Ms. Kiyomizu. I will have someone fetch you if needed."

Lord Inazuma stalked across the path of polished stones crossing the yard to the porch. His three men followed in his wake, arriving at the front door in seconds. The Fairy Tale officer knocked and called out in a loud voice his name and the purpose of his visit.

"Do you think he will ask about the fire?"

Yukari snorted at Kurumu.

"Why would he? That crime happened over a decade ago."

"But Mr. Kizen must know something about the fire and the death of Elder Kunai's grandson."

"Those things happened seventeen years ago. He has had years to get rid of any physical evidence that might tie him to those crimes. He'll just deny it."

"Lord Inazuma will limit this investigation to the recent crime committed by his son."

"Which he will also deny."

Ms. Kiyomizu chuckled at Yukari's prompt response to her statement.

"True. But if Lord Inazuma does want Ms. Kurono's help, it won't be about the fire or that murder."

"The statute of limitations is fifteen years in Japan."

Kurumu frowned at Tora's remark.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It means that law enforcement only has fifteen years to find the culprit in Japan. I don't know if Fairy Tale has the same restrictions, but I got the impression from my mother that the laws are similar."

"So he could just confess without any repercussions?"

"To human authorities. I was -"

"Something isn't right."

The teacher's comment drew attention to the men on the porch. The driver was holding open the door, allowing Lord Inazuma and the other two inside. The officer called out again as he disappeared from sight with his voice muffled by the walls of the residence.

"Do you think they skipped town?"

Kurumu shivered at Yukari's question, regarding the second floor windows. Drapes covered the glass, denying view of the interior.

"Why would Elder Kunai let them do that?"

"Because he knew that we would interrogate his servant this morning. He had no issues helping their son escape the barrier."

Lord Inazuma strolled out with a scowl, muttering some commands to the bald driver. The guard nodded as the officer strode across the polished stones towards the gate.

"Is Mr. Kizen not home?"

Lord Inazuma grimaced at Ms. Kiyomizu's query. He slowed at the gate, gesturing across the street at the black wooden doors flanked by the brick walls surrounding Elder Kunai's three story mansion.

"Possibly. We need to have a chat with Elder Kunai."

"What do you mean by possibly?"

Lord Inazuma slipped by them, heading towards the wooden doors.

"Difficult to say. If Mr. Kizen is working right now, then he will have some explaining to do."

Kurumu frowned as she walked with the other across the street to join the officer. Lord Inazuma pushed the button of a white intercom box mounted to the wood framing of the doors.

"What about your men?"

"They will have their hands full. We need to keep everyone out of that house for now."

"What happened?"

Lord Inazuma grimaced at Kurumu's question.

"Something that makes me glad that we came here before checking out of the hotel. It looks like I will have to stay in town for another day or two."

The box crackled before the voice carried through the speaker.

"What business do you have with the Kunai family?"

Lord Inazuma turned his attention to a white camera which had adjusted on its anchor to the corner of the door framing overhead. The officer pushed the intercom's button, leaning in.

"I am Inazuma Jinrai, head Fairy Tale officer of Niigata prefecture."

He let go of the button and a moment later it crackled again.

"You're the one that caused Father much anxiety last night."

Lord Inazuma leaned in to push the button.

"Is Mr. Kizen Makoto available?"

He released the button, waiting for the response.

"Mr. Kizen does not have duties on Sundays and Wednesdays."

Lord Inazuma sighed with a profanity under his breath. He pressed his thumb against the button.

"Could you tell me where I can find Mr. Kizen?"

There was a short delay before the man on the other end answered.

"I would imagine that he is at home with his wife. If you have no other business-"

The officer cut off the words by pushing the button.

"I have been in his home and found two bodies. Can you explain that?"

Kurumu shivered when the officer pulled away. She had already decided that Mr. Kizen could not have been the only person involved in the fire.

"Bodies?"

"They were killed?!"

"I don't know that yet, Ms. Nazohashi."

"I will inform my father."

Lord Inazuma pressed the intercom's button.

"Could you or your father come out and speak with us? I would like someone to identify the bodies."

"Kurumu. You know what this man looks like?"

Kurumu swallowed thickly at Yukari's question.

"Yea. Why-"

"Give that memory to Lord Inazuma. It will help him."

"Hold on, Ms. Sendou. That's only necessary if Lord Inazuma requests for it."

The silver haired officer nodded at Ms. Kiyomizu.

"I see no reason for that intrusion. We will have our answers soon enough."

"This is going to be a major article for Senior."

"I would prefer for your school paper to not write about this before we have more details."

Yukari snorted at his concerns.

"It's not like we will be releasing that paper soon."

"Yea. Last year our first paper was released during the fifth week of school."

"And that was when we weren't in need of finding a new club advisor."

"I've offered-"

"You are not taking that job. I'd rather you be the advisor of that silly magic club Ms. Imai wants."

"But what if Mr. Murakami doesn't rank first in the assessment?"

Yukari sighed dramatically at the frown from Rubi.

"We could always start that club without him. Someone needs to look after those novice witches."

Kurumu smiled softly, feeling better despite the crushing despair in her heart. Even though Ms. Kiyomizu had discouraged her from prying into Mr. Kizen's memories about those old crimes, Kurumu had wanted to know the truth at least for herself.

"Must be nice to have such simple concerns."

"I don't see why you regard your position as difficult. Mr. Kizen and his wife were most likely killed by Elder Kunai, which is why I felt you should have Kurumu identify the bodies."

"We don't know that for certain."

Kurumu nodded dumbly, thinking that conclusion felt impossible with what she knew about the elder.

"Even if he was upset with Mr. Kizen, he wouldn't kill him."

"He seems quite capable of it. He's full of hatred and bitterness."

"As possible as that may be, I find it more likely that Mr. Kizen was killed by the true culprit behind the crimes Ms. Kurono pardoned Elder Kunai of last night."

Kurumu shuddered, having initially thought that.

"I told the whole room that he might be responsible for that murder."

"I guess that means Fairy Tale doesn't have a statute of limitations."

Lord Inazuma chuckled at Yukari's remark, shaking his head.

"Actually we do, but this murderer must be unaware of that. Now I'm feeling responsible for this. I should have realized that an ignorant criminal might silence Mr. Kizen before I could speak with him."

"You mean before Kurumu did."

"Yes, Ms. Sendou. I should have had one of my men watching this residence last night. But I suppose this works out in a way. Now we can prosecute this person for this new crime."

It felt like an eternity passed before the door was finally eased back. The dark haired man opening the gate for Elder Kunai was his son, Makoto. Kurumu had glimpsed Makoto's wedding to a widow in the summer of 97 before her son graduated from Yokai Academy. He had a son and a daughter with that older woman he had gone to Yokai Academy with. Both men were garbed in black robes with silver sashes. Elder Kunai scowled upon seeing her, thrusting his cane at her.

"I see you brought your whore along!"

Kurumu shivered with anger, clenching her fists.

"I only requested her presence if I needed her help dealing with Mr. Kizen."

"And I've already heard about how you dealt with my servant. Murdered him in the night!"

"We have yet to identify the bodies, Elder Kunai. I was hoping that you could do that for me."

"Interesting that he already knows the victims."

Elder Kunai snarled at Yukari, wagging the end of his cane at the smug witch.

"Don't mock me, child! Whom else would be dead in his home?"

His antagonistic reactions made Kurumu feel more justified when she pushed her awareness against his. She swept through the events of this morning and last night, feeling his agitation and exhaustion. She hated that little bitch, poking her head into places it did not belong. She was just as bad as Ai, the whore whom stole his son from him decades ago.

"That whore is pushing into my mind again!"

"Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu snapped out of her reverie, forcing a smile at Ms. Kiyomizu's reproachful look.

"I'm sorry. Elder Kunai came straight home after the meeting. He dismissed Mr. Kizen from duties without talking about why he was distressed."

Ms. Kiyomizu sighed with a shake of her head.

"I'm very sorry, Elder Kunai. The girl is headstrong."

"She's a menace and shouldn't be in my town!"

Kurumu grimaced, glancing at the paved street.

"He didn't order anyone to do anything to his servant."

Elder Kunai growled, brandishing his cane at Lord Inazuma.

"This is why I hate her kind!"

"Because she pardoned you of any wrongdoing?"

"Stupid brat! She only did that so Fairy Tale can start a witch hunt!"

Yukari snickered, causing the elder's scowl to deepen.

"You think this is funny?!"

"Yes. As a witch and current valedictorian, I find your ignorance amusing."

"You little-"

"Elder Kunai."

Lord Inazuma stepped in to redirect the furious man's attention.

"I insist that you identify the bodies."

"Don't pretend that you don't know whom your men slaughtered, Fairy Tale scum. You just want to tear my town apart to find criminals that don't exist!"

Kurumu laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Don't you even care about the truth? Your servant must have known whom killed Kenji."

The old man turned his seething visage upon her.

"You know nothing about my Kenji!"

"He was all you had left of Inori!"

Elder Kunai faltered as Kurumu trembled with foreign emotions that caused tears to well up in her eyes.

"I've seen the grave. I've felt your pain. You've been betrayed!"

The rage in the old man fizzled out as he lowered his cane back to the stone beneath his sandals.

"Father?"

The elder held up a hand when his son stepped forward.

"No. Don't fall for her tricks. She wants me to believe that I'm a victim so that I will allow Fairy Tale to do as it pleases. I will not let them tear apart my town."

Lord Inazuma favored the old man a glare of his own.

"My patience is wearing thin. I have no desire to overthrow your silly town council. I wouldn't even be here if Kizen Tsuyoshi had not taken that shot."

"Then go! You are not welcome here!"

"I would if your residents stopped committing murders!"

"You're the only murderers here!"

Her frustration with his stubbornness caused Kurumu to bring up the other question nagging her.

"Whom is Mizukawa Ai?!"

Once again, Kurumu's words snuffed out Elder Kunai's anger. The old man trembled, turning to his son.

"Makoto. Identify the bodies for this man and then pay Elder Tsuda a visit. Let him know that we must arrange a funeral."

"There will be no funeral until we have a proper autopsy done at Mr. Murase's hospital."

Elder Kunai simmered with new anger at Lord Inazuma's declaration.

"You will not butcher my servant!"

"Somebody already has, Sir. Your son will be able to confirm that."

Elder Kunai scowled at the officer.

"This better be all you need from my son, Inazuma."

"For the time being, yes."

"For the time being?"

Lord Inazuma regarded the elder with stoicism.

"This is a murder investigation. We will need to have the home checked for fingerprints and anything else which could lead to the capture of the murderer. It's possible that I may have to talk to your son again if the evidence points me in that direction."

Elder Kunai fumed at the implication.

"Have you no respect? This is my town. You don't threaten my family."

"This is my prefecture, Sir, which makes your town my jurisdiction. I don't actually want to be here as I had other plans in Uchimori this week. I will do my best to solve this murder quickly so that we all can go back to doing what we want to do with our time."

The old man huffed, turning about. He stalked off with his cane clacking loudly on the stones.

"When you leave, take your bitch with you."

Lord Inazuma sighed as Kunai Makoto moved to close the heavy doors.

"And people wonder why Lord Kuyo behaved the way he did."


"I believe that should do it."

Kurumu nodded at the dark haired man dressed in a gray uniform. His stouter companion shuffled out the open door of her suite, carrying her old mattress and sheets.

"Thank you. What will you do with the old bed?"

The man shrugged, drifting over to the entry with the stack of wood slats that had been underneath the mattress between the bed framing. The interchangeable head and foot boards had already been carried down the stairs by this man. Kurumu absently followed him as he answered.

"We will have to dispose of the mattress. That style you had is impossible to wash so we will chuck it in the incinerator. We might be able to give the sheets to the donation center if we wash them."

The guy drifted out onto the landing, causing Kurumu to move to the open door. The sun was still up, considering it was not even four. Despite that, she felt thoroughly drained from today's activities.

"What we do with the frame is up to the boss. We could give it a fresh layer of paint and try reselling it ourselves or just dump it off at the junkyard with the mattress."

"You'll just throw it out?"

"The guys at the dump can take it across the street to the donation center if they can sell it as is. Their boss owns both places."

Kurumu smiled softly, noting the other guy down on the ground was putting everything onto the dolly that they had used to bring her new furniture. Another part of her past would soon be gone forever.

"Thank you again for the ride. I'm sorry that you guys had to park so far away."

The man snorted, starting down the stairs with the slats.

"That's the school's fault for not maintaining their service roads. Have a good evening."

Kurumu closed her door, locking it up. She turned around, drifting back into her room as she regarded her new bed frame which these men had set up in the same spot as her old bed. It was a platform bed with some space underneath for a table if she ever got one. It had come with tatami panels which were flush with the wood framing which had a shiny, black finish. As this was one of the cheapest frames in the store, there was no foot or head board.

After discussing things with Rubi and Yukari, Kurumu had decided against getting a mattress. She would use the futon that had come with her suite since that could be cleaned in the commissary's commercial washer. Avoiding that expense, Kurumu had been able to buy two pillows and a new set of sheets which had included a comforter. Those were in the bags sitting against her dresser.

Kurumu sashayed over to the bags, picking up the one from the Clique which had the skirt Ms. Kiyomizu had bought for her. She carried the bag over to her closet, tugging the door open. Flipping on the light, she drifted inside the small space. She pulled out the black skirt, removing all of the tags and stickers before putting it on the shelf beside her school skirts.

Wadding up the bag with the rest of the garbage, Kurumu stepped up on her shelf. She reached up to pull down the futon. Gathering the bedding up against her, she backed off the shelf and turned about. She shuffled back out into the main room, making her way over to the new bed frame.

Once she had spread out the futon, she fetched the bags with the pillows. Pulling both out, she set the pillows aside while wadding up the bags. She took out the sheet set next, opening the plastic container. The comforter was a deep indigo blue while the sheets and pillow cases were a navy blue. She freed the fabric from the cardboard it was wrapped about, stuffing all of the garbage inside one of the bags.

It only took a few moments to put both pillows in cases and make her bed. Having finished her task, Kurumu flopped back on the bed and breathed in deep. It smelled fresh and new without a hint of sex. Hopefully it would be easier to sleep without that smell reminding her of pleasureful exploits.

Kurumu had a little money left but it was not enough to buy a CD. At least that new skirt for the PSC had spared her the trouble of buying a new school skirt. She would be wearing that PSC skirt once a week. She would have to wash that PSC jacket if Sabaku picked a meeting date this week.

Sighing, Kurumu mulled over the day's events. They had parted with Lord Inazuma shortly after the bodies were identified by Elder Kunai's son. His men would keep watch over the place while he went with Makoto to fetch Elder Tsuda and extend his hotel stay. It had sounded like Lord Inazuma would remain here at least one more day before tracking down Kizen Tsuyoshi.

Lord Inazuma had sent his driver back to Agano to get reinforcements. He wanted twenty four hour surveillance of the Kizen household until all of the evidence was recovered. Kurumu hoped that he had been able to keep his appointment with Mr. Motegi. It probably had not taken that much time to stop by the shrine, hotel and hospital. The town was not that big.

The confrontation with Elder Kunai had been so early this morning that they had waited outside the Clique until it opened at ten. After picking up the skirt, Yukari had wanted to visit Moka at the hospital but Ms. Kiyomizu had discouraged that. They had gone to Ms. Atsumoto's apartment instead, but Mrs. Aono had been asleep having spent the night at the hospital. They had shared the news with Kurumu's homeroom teacher whom promised to pass the news on to the others.

Feeling generous since she had just been paid last Friday, Ms. Atsumoto had treated them to lunch at Rice & Spice. Despite getting there before the lunch rush, it had been almost one before they had left the restaurant. Needing to move her vehicle, Ms. Kiyomizu had offered to take them home. Not in the mood to crash Taijin's birthday party, Tora had taken the teacher's offer.

They had stopped by the Gates of Heaven where Hatoko was working, hoping to get details on the party. Asuka and the others had planned to play paintball at one. While they could have made it, Kurumu had no desire to shoot anyone with a gun. Thanking Hatoko for her troubles, they had gone to the mattress store next. Kurumu had taken her time, deciding on what to get.

Not wanting to put off the delivery, Kurumu had accompanied the guys back to her suite. It would be hours before Yukari and Rubi returned. They were shopping for groceries and had a long walk. Kurumu sighed, wondering if she should do laundry now. These sheets felt stiff.

Decisively Kurumu sat up. Pushing off onto her feet, she skipped over to her closet which she had left open. She ducked inside, snatching up her new skirt and tossing it into her hamper which only had her clothes from yesterday and the last two nights. Kurumu carried her hamper back to her bed, kneeling beside it. She stuffed as much of the bedding as she could into her hamper, stacking the futon on top. She spared the new pillows, doubting they needed to be washed.

Grabbing up the bag of trash, she added that to the top of her hamper. She carried it over to the entry, setting it aside. Slipping her feet into her school loafers, she picked up her purse which had her keys. Stacking that on top of the hamper, she dragged everything over to the door. Turning back the deadbolt, she opened the door and stepped outside.

Kurumu fished her keys out of her purse to lock up. Once she had accomplished that, she hefted up the hamper and started down the stairs towards the back corner of the commissary. This had not been a fun weekend. She had not even seen Nijiro, having a feeling that he would turn her away if she tried to show up at his suite now.

She sighed upon reaching the bottom of the stairs. She paused, looking at the doors to the lower suites which faced the commissary. Wondering if Kokoa was home, Kurumu sauntered over to the door which belonged to the vampire sisters. Setting her hamper aside, she knocked firmly on the door.

As she waited for a response, Kurumu wondered if she would ever get an answer about that Mizukawa Ai. That name was strongly tied to his prejudices against succubi, having taken a son away from him. But both of his sons from Akemi lived with him still. This had to be a son from his first wife.

Knocking again, Kurumu contemplated whom she could ask about this mystery woman whom was most likely a succubus. She had the impression from Mr. Murase that this first wife was before the Great War. That limited her options as very few people were from that time period. Still this might be something Ms. Bakudai could help with. The librarian's father worked at the town's public records building.

This was taking too long. Sighing, Kurumu fished her phone out of her purse, bringing it up to her ear.

"Call Kokoa."

The air hummed as the spell went active.

"Kokoa? Are you home?"

There was a rustle before the sound of a guy's familiar voice greeted her. He was singing Tomorrow Never Knows by Mr. Children, causing Kurumu to smirk.

"Kurumu?"

"Are you in a karaoke room with your big brother?"

Kokoa snorted over the phone.

"No. That's Hikari's brother singing and we are with Mr. Tokeru."

Kurumu frowned at the other guy's name.

"From the kendo club?"

"Yes. The club is celebrating Mr. Akegawa's birthday."

"That's today?"

"I'll talk to you tomorrow. End call."

Kurumu pouted when the line went dead. Guessing she had no reason to continue lingering here, she stuffed her phone back inside her purse. She picked her hamper up, glancing over at Mizore's door on the other end of the building. She had a feeling that they would be home as she started shuffling over.

Kokoa had such a weird way of dealing with this situation. Before taking Ishiko's blood, the vampire had made her friend orgasm while Kurumu had been helping the two bathe. Kurumu understood the desire for comfort but that had just been awkward. She wished Tora had arrived sooner to spare her of that.

Kurumu had wanted to tell Kokoa about the results of the town meeting but the vampire had not been home last night. That had also resulted in a phone call with Kokoa confirming that she was spending the night in the junior dorms with Ishiko and Hikari. The brat had also ended that call abruptly, stating her environment was not right for discussing serious matters.

Kurumu sighed, arriving at Mizore's door. Kokoa would just have to learn about everything tomorrow as she knocked on the door. She breathed in deep, glancing at the open space between this building and the vacant one where Mizore had lived last year. Tsukune's fight with Murakami felt like forever ago.

Hearing the turn of the deadbolt, Kurumu brought her attention back to the door. The door pushed out, revealing Umizake along with the sounds of loud music by Ringo Sheena. The tall guy was wearing a gray shirt with short, black sleeves. His khaki cargo shorts barely reached his knees. His steel blue eyes swept over her with mild interest.

"You can't move in."

Kurumu snickered, picking up her hamper.

"I'm going to do laundry but I wanted to visit with Mizore first. I have some news about Tsukune."

"I guess you can come inside."

Kurumu smirked at his invitation, sashaying by him with the hamper in her arms. She murmured her gratitude as she paused in the entry to step out of her loafers.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms. Kurono."

Mrs. Shirayuki was kneeling at the low table in the center of the room. A pristine white kimono was wrapped about the mother's torso with a jade sash about her waist.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Shirayuki."

"Kurumu."

Kurumu giggled as Mizore meekly beckoned to her, lying on the couch. The snow girl was wearing one of the kimonos that Kurumu had seen in Mizore's closet back in Yukimura. The kimono was a pastel yellow with a crimson maple leaf pattern. The crimson sash was absent, allowing the fabric to accommodate Mizore's swollen belly. Setting her hamper aside, Kurumu sauntered over to the couch.

"Did any of you leave the suite this weekend?"

Umizake chuckled, locking up the door.

"I was sent out to buy groceries yesterday."

Kurumu chuckled, sitting down on the couch by Mizore's hip. Mizore instantly seized Kurumu, tugging her closer. Giggling, Kurumu lowered into a chilly embrace.

"I missed you."

Kurumu smiled as Mizore relaxed her grip so that she could caress Kurumu's sides. Kurumu reached up to brush her fingers across Mizore's icy cheek.

"How are you hanging in there?"

"Twenty three weeks."

Kurumu shifted, bringing her hand from Mizore's cheek to rest on the snow girl's abdomen.

"Yea. Could be any day now."

Mizore moved her hand over to rest on top of Kurumu's. Her fingers were so cold.

"My tits are bigger."

Kurumu giggled, lifting back up to a more comfortable seated position.

"You seem very mellow."

"That's your baby's opiate at work. Her hips have been bothering her so I haven't kissed her today."

"Because you guys had me on my feet so much last week."

Umizake chuckled, remaining by the stove.

"That we did. What was the news about Tsukune?"

Kurumu smiled softly at his use of Tsukune's name.

"Well I already told you about Kokoa's visions of the future when I was here with Tora. We met up with Lord Inazuma yesterday and spoke with Takagi and visited Tsukune in the hospital. His situation is pretty much the same so the news is more about what happened with Elder Kunai."

"Oh? Was he involved?"

Kurumu shook her head, feeling the soft caress of Mizore's fingers against hers.

"No. But it turns out that Mr. Kizen might have known the truth about whom started the fire and killed Elder Kunai's grandson."

"What makes you think that?"

"I sort of checked Elder Kunai's memories during the town meeting. He was not very happy about it."

Umizake nodded thoughtfully.

"Were you not allowed to check Mr. Kizen's memories?"

Kurumu bit her lip, contemplating the best way to explain this.

"I should clarify which Mr. Kizen I am talking about. Kizen Tsuyoshi, the groundskeeper, has already fled town. Elder Kunai gave him a pass so that he could leave the barrier. He was gone before Saturday."

"That's not good."

Kurumu made a dismissive wave.

"Headmaster Sendou has a tracking spell on him. Lord Inazuma will find the guy soon enough. The guy whom might have known the truth about the fire was his father, Makoto. He's the main servant of Elder Kunai. We went to check on him this morning but he and his wife were killed."

"Did his son kill them?!"

Kurumu turned a smile upon Mizore's concern.

"No. I impulsively checked Elder Kunai's memories this morning. His servant was alive last night which means the killer was someone else."

"That's not a favorable development."

Kurumu glanced at Umizake, managing a smile.

"I guess that's true. Lord Inazuma is staying in town, hoping to figure everything out soon. They might even open up a Fairy Tale office here. Mr. Motegi was willing to rent out some property to them."

Mizore sighed wearily.

"I have to pee."

Kurumu giggled, getting up from the couch.

"Do you need help?"

Mizore groaned, grabbing for Kurumu's hand. The snow girl grumbled as she sat up.

"Hatsue needs to quit stomping on my bladder."

Kurumu snickered, helping Mizore up onto her feet.

"I bought myself a new bed frame and sheets."

"I was about to question where this new bedding in your hamper came from."

Kurumu grinned at Umizake as Mizore pressed against her side. She slowly steered Mizore over to the open bathroom door.

"That's just the futon that came with my suite. You two are more than welcome to come upstairs and see the new frame."

Mizore grunted as they shuffled through the open doorway. Their bathroom layout was different from the ones in Moka's and Yukari's suites. They had a shelf near the door which had the towels and bathing supplies. To the left was the sink with a small space between it and the tub. The toilet was nestled in a corner near the far end of the tub.

"I can't deal with stairs while pregnant."

Kurumu giggled, having to let go of Mizore as there was not much room between the tub and the wall. The snow girl shuffled over to the toilet, hiking her kimono up. Kurumu glimpsed Mizore's pale cheeks before Mizore turned about and sat down.

"No panties?"

Mizore sighed as the sound of tinkling filled the air.

"Of course not."

Kurumu smirked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Do you want to do laundry with me?"

"Only if you give me kisses."

Kurumu snorted, turning about and stalking out of the room.

"Guess I'm doing it on my own."

She smiled at Mizore's whimpered protest for her to come back.