Innocent in the Dark

Chapter 14

During that time…

"Karl, get in here!"

Karl immediately went to his father. He didn't want to anger his father as he found out the hard way one time. His mother paid the price.

"Yes father?"

"I want you to get rid of the thorn in our side."

"Yes sir, may I ask who?"

"Your sister. She abandoned us when we needed her most. Now go so my contract can be complete. Oh and Karl," he said before Karl left, "make sure to use the right weapon for this. I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Yes father. I take my leave and return with the job complete." Karl bowed and left to do the task immediately.

* * *

Shiori was cleaning the apartment for a lack of better to do. She had no idea how he son was really doing because Kurama never told her anything except the fact that he was always asleep every time he came home.

Kurama just came by and left a few minutes ago. She sighed at her revelation. She knew that Shuuichi would be fine with Kurama. They were after all a great couple and they sure looked cute together.

"Man what a handful. Isn't it Shiori?" a voice said from behind her. She turned to see Karl sitting in the couch.

She glared at him. "Karl what are you doing here?"

"Is it illegal for me to visit my other imouto? I just came by to say hi and wanted to know if living the human way was the way to go instead of living a life to servitude."

She kept her guard up. Her brother could just be lying and still likes the life of servitude. "Why the sudden change? Planning to kill me behind my back?" she said turning back to cleaning. She was a tidy person and still is.

"If I was, I would've done it already. So you've got a nice place. Of course that is what I should expect from you. You're just like mother always a tidy person. A small speck of blood or food on the floor you always clean it up."

"Yes but here in the ningenkai there is no blood."

"True. I wish that were how the way it was. But ever since mom died because of the ningens I think my mind about them hasn't changed but I'm willing to try, to forgive them for what they did. There is a way for everyone to have a second chance even anyone you hate right Shiori? Would you teach me-us what it is like living here? So that way we could forgive them of what they have done to mom. I know that you know because you lived here and actually tolerated the ningens."

Shiori kept silent. Part of her believed that he was telling the truth but the other part of her doesn't believe him at all.

But her heart won over her thoughts. "Alright." She said immediately regretting it. She turned to face Karl who is standing up. He walked over to her and gave her a hug.

"Thanks sis." He said. "Let's meet in the alley so that way father won't know that Alex and I are doing this."

"Okay but if one trick happens on me you'll really regret it."

"I know." He broke the hug and turned to leave. "Tomorrow sis. Sayonara." He said before leaving.

Shiori was a little bit taken back. Since mom died Karl has never said good-bye because he knew that one of them was going to leave him too. He never said that because those were the last words he ever said to their mom.

Shiori smiled, "Well I guess then everyone can change if they wanted to." She said before going back to cleaning.

* * *

Kurama's POV

I walked home from Shiori's. I informed her of everything that happened that she missed. I just hope that Shuuichi isn't up yet because he must've thought that I've left him again. Since I've been gone what seems like forever must be the reason why he sleeps most of the time. I sighed.

I continued walking and saw a crowd and saw a woman dead. To say she almost looked like Shiori but I knew that it isn't her. Her scent doesn't match. I walked away not caring for the death of the ningen woman.

I arrived at the apartment and found it too quiet. Of course I think that Shuuichi is just sleeping. I walked inside unlocking it with the spare key that I had. I don't need my thieving skills for this, and walked in. I went into the bedroom and to find the bed empty and it was made. Okay Shuuichi isn't home.

I looked around the apartment to see if he was there but no. I took a whiff of the air to see if there was someone else that entered here that wasn't invited to find none. I assumed that he happened to be out. He left no note.

I sat back on the couch leaning my head back with my eyes closed. I think I'll just wait for him until he comes back. I searched for the remote and flipped open the TV. Although the ningens were pathetic they sure can come up with something worth entertainment. I left it on a show that I've seen only once called Family Guy. Sure was a little bit interesting. There wasn't anything to watch anyways.

* * *

I woke up to find myself sprawled out on the couch. I think I must've been tired. Shiori was right to not stress too much about Shuuichi. Maybe Shuuichi has rubbed up on me for having a tendency to watch then fall asleep in the middle of it all. I sat up and looked at the clock. I never head the door close or open. Even if the door were oiled I still would've known that Shuuichi arrived.

I went to look in the room. I saw that it was still empty. The sheets looked like they weren't even slept in. Shuuichi is beginning to worry me.

I decided to look for him. I know that it was three o'clock in the morning but still Shuuichi should've been home by now.

My first destination is Shiori's apartment.

* * *

I arrived and knocked on the door. I know that she'll be bitching at me for waking her up this early but this is very important.

The door opened. I saw the mad face of Shiori's. "Youko Kurama this isn't time for therapy do you know what time it is?! It's three in the morning that's what! Come back later when it's something important to talk about!" She was about to slam the door in his face but he stopped it with his foot.

"I didn't come here for therapy. I came here to see if you've seen Shuuichi he hasn't come home." I said.

That got her full attention.

"What are you talking about? Isn't Shuuichi suppose to be sleeping like everyone else?" she said ushering me inside.

"Yes but when I went back he was gone and I assumed that he'd be out. I just woke up and saw that he hasn't come back."

"Are you sure?"

"Would I be coming here if I wasn't sure?" that comeback is a little harsh but I'm worried about Shuuichi. I can't lose him.

"Alright. If he isn't back by noon tomorrow then we'll go look for him. Don't bother asking Koenma he might get in way over his head and lie to you. So come to the alley that no one goes to when he doesn't come back by noon. I'll be there."

I walked outside and back to the apartment. Great now I have to wait until noon tomorrow. I went into the bedroom hoping that when I wake up later Shuuichi would be here sleeping right beside me.

* * *

I saw the clock strike noon. He still didn't return. I walked out to go to the alley that was always abandoned that not even a street punk would enter. Maybe I'll see him walking around in the street.

* * *

Normal POV

Shiori glanced at the clock to see that it was eleven fifty. She was going to see Kurama in ten minutes. Her apartment isn't that far from their arranged meeting place so she had time. Plus the extra five minutes she could talk to Karl and Alex as to why they would all of a sudden change their mind when Kurama just found Shuuichi missing that same day. Something was up. It was hard to break from her father's control because she suffered a lot of pain. She wished she was dead when that happened but then she met someone when she went to the ningenkai.

She was happy then. She just hoped that Kurama did see Shuuichi and wouldn't come a noon.

She walked to the alley. It was a little dark but not that bright either. It was eleven fifty five now in her watch. She knows that clocks run differently depending on the person who set it up Kurama's could've just said eleven fifty.

"Hello Shiori. Didn't expect you to be here so early. I guess we could do this now huh?" Karl said appearing before her.

"Karl. How were you able to get past father? I know that it isn't that easy."

"I told him that I would kill you right when Kurama arrived here but I see that he didn't so I won't."

"Kill me? So this was all a trap? Nice one big brother. But you see it was father's fault that mom was killed not the ningens. It was a nice find too. So how do you plan on killing me?"

"Since it is only three minutes till I think he'll start it now."

"He?"

Karl smirked and looked passed Shiori. She turned but before she could do a complete turn she was struck through her stomach. The weapon went right through her body. She gasped wide eyes when she saw who it was. She knew now why he was gone. "Heh, you've won this round but you won't win the next. You won't be able to control him forever." She said before she completely passed and fell to the ground dieing a second time.

"Like I said, Sayonara sis. C'mon she won't bother us anymore." They both left leaving not a trace of energy or scent.

* * *

Kurama's POV

I continued walking to the alley and I saw that as a neared it the smell of blood was strong. I hope that it's not Shuuichi. I immediately ran. What I found was not Shuuichi but Shiori. Someone knew that she'd be here and killed her? Or it could be that she was killed by accident?

No, that wouldn't be the case; it must be that girl Alex and that brother of hers. I don't think I've met her brother but she did mention him once if memory serves me right.

I took of my long coat and covered her body. There is no heartbeat so I know that she's dead. I couldn't pick up a scent of who did this other that Shiori's. There was something faint but I couldn't place it.

I got out a cell phone that Shiori gave me incase I need to make a call around the ningenkai. She put the ambulance on speed dial. I got through to them giving them her location. I wasn't going to stay because I need to find Shuuichi. Then Botan appeared.

"Kurama the others need your help. There's demons attacking further ahead." She said frantically. I nodded and ran out of there to where the demon attacks were. Some how I think Shiori's death is related to this event.

I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen.

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