“I don’t know yet. Father said he was doing a job for him, but that was days ago, and I looked through his stuff but couldn’t find anything.”
“Kitten. Look at me.” Rei’s teasing voice evaporated to a stern tone. “Don’t ever go through your dad’s stuff. I’m not shitting you. You may be new to this world, but if he finds out what you’re up to . . .” He shivered and shook his head. “Just don’t do it again. Promise me.”
I nodded, aware that I walked a fragile line but what choice did I have? Tatsou could be in trouble.
“Don’t end up like the curious kitten in the stories. We all know what happened to it.”
I nodded again. Curiosity killed the cat. Got it. I still had faith Father wouldn’t hurt me if he knew I’d messed around with his stuff, but I would be in serious trouble.
We changed topics to search for Tatsou once we arrived at Osaka. I had no idea where to go, but I sort of figured if he was there, he’d find me first. At least, I hoped for such good luck. I’d booked a room at a hotel close to downtown, so we could walk around then crash when we got tired. Rei never once complained and reported back to my father when he was supposed to. I’d have to make it up to him for doing this. I know friends typically helped each other, but he was with me one hundred percent. The least I could do was maybe find him a nice date or a car detailing kit. Not sure which he’d prefer more.
“Are there any hints of where you think he’d be? Where’s his home? Or does he have any family members close by?” Rei plopped onto the bed at the hotel after running around the city for hours. I was bone tired and thought about going home, accepting that Tatsou would come back when and if he wanted to.
“I don’t think he has family nearby.” I sat on the edge of the bed to peel off my sneakers. This whole mission was stupid, and maybe I overreacted.
“If you want to find him, then we will,” Rei assured me, and I gloomily nodded.
“Maybe he left me.” I voiced the sad thought aloud. The ache in my throat signaled tears were coming soon. Rei was up and at my side in seconds.
“Trust me, you don’t look at a girl like he does you and just leave her without a word. I know because I feel the same and I would never leave you. We just gotta keep looking. I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation.” Rei rubbed my back softly, and I turned to him. He hugged me while tears fell, and I let them go freely. I hoped he was right. Tatsou made it seem like he really cared for me, like he wanted to be with me. I needed to stop freaking out, find him, make sure he was okay, then I could go back home with peace of mind.
“Thanks, Rei, I’m really glad you’re helping me.” I pulled back and gave him a smile while wiping my cheeks. He laughed and then pushed me over before rolling off the bed to lay on his.
“Me too. Your little cinnamon-roll self would have gotten lost and or fell out of a tree trying to save a kitten while in the city.”
I threw a pillow at him. Jerk.
We ate dinner and watched TV for a bit before heading out to check the city’s nightlife for Tatsou. I dared to venture close to the vampire club but saw the place was boarded up and closed down. I wondered if the owners shut it down after Tatsou killed a few of their patrons.
Eventually, we called it quits for the night, and Rei promised we’d try again tomorrow. Despite having no idea where to search next, a warmth settled beneath my skin with the thought that I wouldn’t give up on him. If my father had him chained in a basement somewhere, I’d find him. If he was wandering lost and lonely, then I’d be there with a helping hand.
I fell asleep after Rei’s snores stopped echoing throughout the room and dreamed of beautiful wisteria flowers drifting in the breeze.
Chapter Thirty- Two
Tatsou
I missed Katsumi.
When she’d leaped into my arms upon walking in the door to the studio, I felt a happiness unlike anything I’d experienced before. I wanted to be greeted every day with such joy and affection after we’d been apart. Then she asked me about her sister, and I left. I didn’t know how to answer her, and my thoughts punched me in the gut. I’d been conflicted in my stance with her family, and I needed to figure out what I truly wanted. She’d been right when I’d wanted to kiss her, but she wouldn’t let me because I vowed to destroy her family. I couldn’t have it both ways. To slay them all would hurt her, and the thought of hurting her became abhorrent.
I wished Botan were still alive so I could talk to him. It would be nice to speak with someone who knew me as well as the life of a vampire. Kat deserved better than me. If I did give up everything for her, what would happen for the rest of her life? Would I be satisfied watching her age, then die? Human lives were full of pain and accidents. She could get an illness or someone hurt her. What then?
After I left the studio, I marched to Kano Sakura and compelled him to think he sent me somewhere and to add extra protection to Kat. I took off on foot and wandered through the woods of my past.
Eventually, I found my way back home, where I had once tended the fertile lands with my family. My father had more children after my mother had died. I’m sure if I searched hard enough, I’d find relatives amongst the living.
Whoever maintained the farm now had kept the wisteria and added more livestock. In this ever-changing world, I smiled with the knowledge that while my old home was gone with a new structure in its place, the lands remained the same. The wisteria had gone dormant for the winter but had been expanded into three-hundred-foot sections of trellis. The kaede maple trees were bright orange and red, their leaves littering the ground like confetti. I missed my family, though I’d forgotten what they looked like. I remember my mother’s rebellious spirit that my sister had inherited. Their wicked smiles had promised mischief ahead. They’d been my everything and sickness stole them from me.
“The Wisterian Vampire surfaces at last.” A female voice floated on the wind. A woman with long blond hair and bright green eyes stood ten yards away.
“Eleanor Rosewood.” I recognized her feline smile. The curvaceous vampire swayed with grace, as her eyes darted all over my body.
“The twenty-first century looks good on you. I must know the name of your tailor.”
“You’re alive?” I’d hoped some of the originals were still around but hadn’t heard about any of them. I assumed they were dead. She giggled and flapped her hand in the air once.
“Of course, I’m alive, Tatsou. Most of us are, though we don’t keep in touch like we used to.” She held her hand out for me, and I lifted my arm for her to take it.
