15. Not An Option.

…

"You alright?" Elta asked.

Sitting across her, Hiro tsks and turns away. He was sulking and tried so hard not to let it show. Forced to sit in the carriage, Hiro was a bit angry.

"We did tell you not to get on,"

"Keeping you like this is better," Akane said.

"Don't worry I'll remove it when we get to the auction house. So don't be angry,"

Hiro refused to say anything. His body had two rings of energy around it that prevented it from moving. He was dragged in here and tied up.

"Elta, there's no need for this. He isn't a prisoner," Akane said.

"Fine,"

With a wave of her hand, the two rings disappeared. "I'm sorry,"

"Hmph,"

Hiro snorts, he didn't even spare her a glance. Akane stared at him, who was looking her way. Her smile grew till it reach her eyes.

"He is even more cute when he is angry," she thought. "I wonder how he'll look in a few years. Will he still be cute? May be he will be handsome. Haha, he might become ugly by…"

"We've arrived," Elta yelled interrupting her thoughts.

"Hmph," Hiro snorted.

"Come on, don't be angry. I'm sorry,"

"Let's just go in and get this over with,"

"I said I'm sorry,"

Elta's eyes watered and turned sad but Hiro stepped out without a glance back at her. Akane turned to Elta, who sat in place.

"Let's go too,"

"I'm going back home,"

"What? Not happening. Get your ass out of here now,"

"No,"

Outside, Hiro stepped out to the sight of a magnificent building. It was huge and circular building that was painted silver. Above the building, on its roof, was a round ball painted to look like the moon. From Hiro's view, it complimented the sun and the blue sky.

In front of him were stairs that glowed slightly under the sun. They seemed to be made from a type of precious gem.

"Wow,"

Hiro looked around and found cherry blossom trees in the compound. They were too many for him to count.

Just above the entrance, written in a board made of gold, were the silver colored characters.

'SILVER MOON'

Elta and Akane stepped out of the carriage and Hiro turned to them.

"Wow, this place is amazing!"

"You aren't angry anymore?" Elta asked.

"Huh? Hmph, for bringing me here I'll forgive you. Let's go I want to see the inside,"

Hiro turned around and saw a group of three walking over. A lady led two men down the stairs to greet them.

"I welcome the guest of the Lu family. They'll take care of your horses and carriage, please follow me," the lady said.

The two men walked passed and both Izuhi and Shula gave them their horse's leash. The lady climbed up the stairs and the group followed her up.

~Neigh~

Hiro turned around at the sound of horses and wheel riding. Two other carriage had stop below the stairs and two groups of various number of people had gone to greet them.

What caught Hiro's eyes was that from up here, the cherry blossom trees together formed a crescent shape.

"Sir?" Izuhi called out.

"Sorry," Hiro turned back and rushed to Akane and Elta's side. "How come there aren't many people here?"

"That's because this is the entrance for prominent people and we are late. The other entrance would be more lively,"

"Oh, I se…"

They stepped into the building and Hiro's remaining words got stuck in his throat. Made by the same material as that of the stairs, the pillars and floor of the hall glowed slightly. It emitted coldness that gave one's body a refreshing feeling. The walls were painted white and the ceiling had the design of a night sky, with a silver moon up in the grey clouds.

"It looks so real," Hiro stared at the ceiling.

"Right? Haha," Elta said. "The first time I felt it was and flew up to touch it,"

"Can I?"

"Please don't, not here. When we get to our room you can try," Akane said.

"Excuse me young madams, it seems the patriarch and the matriarch of the Lu family are here. Would you like…"

"Akane!"

A voice yelled interrupting the lady who was leading them to the receptionist desk. The group turned to the voice and found another group at the entrance. A group of four: two ladies and two men, who seemed to be their guards.

"Oh, it's you guys. You are late too, haha. Wait a sec," Akane said and turned to Elta.

"Hmph, why did we meet them?" Elta muttered as low as possible.

"Why don't you guys go to your parents?" Akane said.

"Oh, it's lady Elta! Forgive me I didn't see you,"

One of the ladies said, as their group got closer. Elta forced a smile at them and turned to Hiro.

"Lady Elta is as beautiful as ever. I think you got more beautiful,"

"Hiro, let's go," Elta ignored her and held Hiro's hand.

"Lady Elta, wait why don't we all stay together? We can use this opportunity to know each other better," the other lady said.

"Thanks, but we are going to my mom and dad. They are both waiting," Elta smiled and turned to the lady who led them. "Please lead the way,"

"Yes, this way,"

"See you later Akane,"

"Yeah, see you,"

"Bye lady Elta,"

The lady led the way and Elta, Hiro and Izuhi followed. Akane turned to the desk and dropped a token.

"Are there any rooms available on the silver floor?"

"Madam is late, we can get you one on the B floor," the man behind the desk said.

"Alright thank you,"

"Akane, who was that cute boy beside lady Elta?" one of the lady asked.

"Oh, Hiro? Don't worry you'll find out soon. He is cute, right?"

"Yeah, don't tell me lady Elta got herself a manservant to tend to her?"

"She is a young lady, and she is at that age after all. She has needs that need to be attended to," the other lady whispered.

"But why did she get a first stage foundation weakling? How long can he…?"

"What the hell are you two saying? Elta isn't like you two, I don't want to hear that again,"

"Alright, sorry Akane,"

…

"Who were those two?" Hiro asked as soon as they were out of sight.

"Akane's indecent friends, I dislike them. I don't know why she hangs with them, she's just too nice to everyone," Elta said. "They also fawn over me too much, they are people who show favor to the strong and oppress the weak. They shouldn't exist in this life,"

Hiro felt a chill run down his spine. The atmosphere changed and he felt a huge pressure descend on him. Luckily, it didn't last long. Izuhi stepped in front of him and the pressure disappeared.

"Madam Elta, this isn't a place to release your killing intent. It may cause a misunderstanding,"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's a good thing the rooms here are isolated,"

"You almost killed sir Hiro,"

"Huh? Hiro!"

Elta turned back only to see Hiro standing still. His eyes had lost color and his face had fear written all over it.

"Hiro! Are you alright?"

She held his shoulders with her hands and immediately she did, Hiro bent to the ground and spat out blood.

"Ugh! Ack!"

Like a fountain, blood sprayed out of Hiro's mouth. Izuhi placed his hand on Hiro's back and poured a bit of his energy into Hiro's body.

"He'll be alright madam,"

"Are you sure?" Elta asked.

The lady looked at the trio behind her. Her palm was over her mouth as she forced back the blood that was in her mouth.

"Seventh stage! No this has to be at least the eighth stage. It was publicly known that she was at the sixth. I have to inform the madam,"

"Hiro, are you alright?"

"I'm… fine," Hiro struggles to say. "Ack!"

"On behalf of the Lu family, I request to fly. Being here would attract attention," Izuhi says to the lady.

"This…"

"Lead the way to my parents, I'll handle whatever comes next," Elta cuts in.

"Yes ma'am. This way please,"

The lady elevates and flies forward leading the trio behind. Izuhi carries Hiro and flies after her. Elta flew beside them, it was plain on her face that she was worried about Hiro.

"Better now, sir?" Izuhi asks after a short flight.

"Yeah," Hiro replies and turns to Elta. "Relax, you didn't mean it,"

"I'm sorry,"

"It's alright," he said and thought. "Being weak is not an option,"

…