16. Family

…

In no time, the trio arrived at the room door. The lady knocked and the door opened a short while after.

"Mom, dad!" Elta called out and went in. Izuhi steps in, supporting Hiro as he walks.

"Uh? You guys are here too," Ming Lu says as she gets on her feet. "What's wrong?"

Seeing the blood on Hiro's face, she was a bit worried. Enji turns to lady at the door, who bows to him slightly.

"I'll take my leave,"

He nods and waves his hand, in a trice the door was shut. He turns to the trio, who had just stepped in.

"What happened?"

"I…"

"Someone pissed Elta, she released um… Izuhi what did call it? Killing intent?"

"Yes sir,"

"She released killing intent and I got affected. Thankfully, Izuhi intervened in time. Please don't be furious at my sister, it wasn't a deliberate action,"

Enji looks at Elta but Hiro takes her hand and pulls her behind him. He looks Enji in the eyes and bowed a little.

"Please father,"

"Haha, I never said I was angry at her,"

"Huh?"

"Silly, they are concerned about you," Elta chips in.

"It's a nice sight seeing you stand up for your sister, hehe," Ming Lu said.

"Keep it up," Enji encourages.

Ming Lu stretches her hands to Hiro. "Come let me check you."

"Huh? Yes mother,"

Hiro walks up to her and she takes his hands in hers. "A few internal injuries but nothing serious. Izuhi thanks, you reacted on time,"

"It is my job madam,"

Ming Lu takes out a napkin, and gently wipes Hiro's face. Elta turns to Enji and asks.

"Father, mother, why are you here?"

"There's something being auctioned that old Sai needs. He said it was for Hiro and asked us to get it, but he didn't let us know what it's for," Enji replied and Hiro's face stiffened.

"Mind telling us what it is young man?" Ming Lu pinched Hiro's cheeks.

"It's a secret. Sorry father, sorry mother please don't ask,"

"Hmm, alright. You two come sit," Enji said.

"Hmph, someone is being secretive,"

"Let it be Elta," Ming Lu said. "Let's sit,"

Hiro took the chance to look around. The room had a three seater chair and a table: with two plates of fruits, two cups and a jug of wine on it.

In front of the table was a (floor-to-ceiling window) window wall. The walls of the room was silver with a black curled line running horizontally like a snake. The floor was of the same material as the stairs outside and the ceiling had the night sky, a silver moon and a few dark clouds in it.

"Mother, can I touch that?" Hiro asked.

"Huh? Oh, was it Elta's idea?"

"I had mentioned I did it, but it wasn't my idea to," Elta defended.

"Haha,"

"Hehe, alright, up you go,"

Ming Lu stretched her index and middle fingers at Hiro and then raised it up. Hiro elevated slowly and went up until he could reach the ceiling. He stretched his hand and touched it.

"Coming down," Ming Lu announced.

"Okay,"

She brought him down slowly and placed him on the floor.

"That was awesome, right?" Elta asked.

Hiro turned to Elta, who was seated beside Enji.

"Yes,"

"Come sit,"

"Okay,"

Hiro walks around, and sat beside Elta. Ming Lu sat beside him and they all directed their attention out the window. Well, not all of them, Hiro's attention was on the fruit.

"Can I have some?"

"Hmm? Sure go ahead,"

"Thank you,"

"Surprisingly, it is quiet," Elta said as Hiro ate.

"An unprecedented issue came up, so they took a short break,"

Hiro munched on a few fruits before turning his attention out the window. Outside the window was a semicircular hall that had a large semicircular stage. There was a group dancers on the stage and a soothing music filled the hall. Their room was directly facing the stage, so they had a very clear view of it. From a few feet in front of the stage, to as far back as Hiro could see, sat a lot of people: who watched the dancers in silence.

To the left and to the right were several other glass windows. Hiro squirted his eyes but he couldn't see through the silver colored glasses.

After trying for a while, he turned to the stage. The dancers were still on stage and Hiro found their actions repulsive. He couldn't make out why it did. The dancers, and even the soothing music made his body uncomfortable.

He could feel the hairs on his body stand and his blood start to boil. What the hell was going on? His body itched and Hiro bit his lower lips.

A blurry scene flashed in his eyes and a voice rang in his head.

"Hey, promise me you will live,"

The boiling of his blood increased and another scene flashed once again. He couldn't make sense of it, but he became more agitated. His chest heaved and his hand tightened into a fist, as he clenched his garment's trousers.

"Hey, promise me you will live,"

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Grr,"

The voice rang again and following was Ming Lu's voice and a touch on Hiro's shoulder. He jerked and swiftly turned to her. A low sounding growl escaped his mouth as he turned. His chest heaved rapidly and he frowned at her.

"Huh?"

His eyes met hers and he blinked several times. His rapid heaving chest slowed down and his body relaxed.

"Are you alright? You seemed uneasy just now,"

Ming Lu rubbed his back with her right hand. Hiro forced a smile at her.

"I'm fine,"

"Are you sure?"

The tone of her voice gave Hiro a caring feeling, one that filled his entire body. He looked up at her, and their eyes met. Everything around him faded away. He didn't know when the sound of the music disappeared. At the moment, Ming Lu was the only one that existed and her voice just embraced him.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

"I… I don't know mom. I don't know,"

Hiro closed his eyes tight and exhaled. "I saw some unclear images. I couldn't tell what they were, yet they… they made me tensed and uncomfortable. I… I felt like I was choking and… and…"

Ming Lu embraces him. "Relax, we are here for you,"

"I'm scared, yet I'm angry,"

"You don't have to be scared, we'll protect you, I promise. We are a family now,"

Hiro felt warmth all over his body. A huge hand patted his head and two little arms embraced him from behind.

"It's my duty to protect my son, and I'll do just that," Enji said.

"I told you, right? I'm going to take care of you more than you'll take care of me. I'm going to prove it with my actions. That's what an older sister does,"

"Hmph, I've told you several times, you aren't older. I'm going to take care of you more,"

Hiro snorted and turned to face her. "Just you wait, I'll get stronger than you,"

Elta placed her hand on his head. "Until then, I'm older, little brother,"

"You! I'm not little, hmph,"

"Thirty thousand gold!"

"Thirty three!"

"Huh?" Hiro frowned and turned to the window at the sound of yelling.

"Oh, they've resumed. How come we didn't notice?" Elta cried out.

"Thirty five thousand!"

On the stage a lady stood with a fan in her hand. It was as plain as a pikestaff, that she was the host. Beside her was a lady, who held a pillow that cushioned a white crystal orb.

The orb was the reason for the uproar in the hall.

…