Ruri-sama and Kaoru:

My parents’ store was locked. Everything looked neat and in place as I drew out the key. I could see my breath as I walked inside. My mother usually turns on the heating when work starts. The store has to stay cold overnight because of some of the sensitive artwork inside. My eyes scan the dim lighting of the room as walked forward. I walked over to the front desk and pulled out the client book. Using my cell phone for light, I flipped through the pages until I came to this morning’s log. I spotted only one name in the book. Sure enough, it was just as I expected. I cursed myself as I stamped my foot. That bastard! I looked down at that message that Kaoru sent my moments earlier.

“Look up the year 1419, Edo. Ruri-sama.” What did that mean? I walked into the back office part of the store. It didn’t take me long to locate the laptop and boot it up. The screen prompted me for the password. Heh, this was going to be easy. I typed in the password and logged in. I clicked on Sleipnir and opened up Google. I typed in “Ruri-sama” and “1419 Edo.” The results made my jaw drop. Most of these looked like gossip and tall tales. This might be another game of Kaoru’s. Still, I had to keep looking. I finally came across a link titled, “The story of Ruri-sama and Kaoru.” I raised an eyebrow at the title.

What is this? I clicked on the link. The page that popped up gave me a whole wave of information that would change this whole brutal game that I was trapped in.

Ruri-sama was an attractive woman back in the Edo period. She was so beautiful that men started fights over her. Many worried that an actual war would break out wherever she went. She knew and used it to her advantage. Different stories told different details about this Ruri-sama. She had many loves, but never stayed with one man. In fact, she played with their hearts and used them until she got bored. I didn’t really think much about her at first. So, it’s about a rich woman in ancient in Japan. What does that have to do with me? I did come across one name mentioned in the article. I narrowed my eyes at the characters.

Kaoru? That couldn’t be right. I mean, sure he was a vampire and probably lived for many years, but still… Could this be a coincidence? I didn’t get a chance to ponder that as I kept digging. When I scrolled down, the answer shock so hard that I nearly fell out of my chair.

What… What the hell? What is this? I thought that I was seeing a reflection of my face in Ruri-sama. Why did she look like me? Right at that moment, my cell phone rang. With a shaky hand, I reached down and answered it.

“H-H-H-Hello…?” I asked.

“Now do you get it?” a low voice asked. I jumped, looking around.

“Kaoru?!” I asked aloud. I looked around the darkness, panting.

“Go on,” he said on the other line. “Ask me everything you want to know about.” His tone and words made my spine grow stiff. I wanted to scream as if I could feel him closing in on me. My pounding heart wouldn’t let me open my mouth to speak.

“Tick tock,” he purred on the phone. “Don’t keep me waiting.” My eyes darted towards the clock on the bookshelf. Only 10:48 a.m.? It can’t be!

“H-H-H-How are you awake at this time of morning?” I asked. His answer only made it worse for me.

“I’m right behind you,” he hissed. I whipped around to see him standing in front of me with his eyes glaring in the dark. My phone dropped to my feet.

“Go on,” he purred over the line. “Talk to me.  Ask me anything. Ask me about Ruri-sama.” The violent hunger in his eyes made me crawl back to the computer desk. His footsteps didn’t make it any better. I had no idea how intimidating he could be with him standing over me with a cold smirk on her face. He lowered his phone by his side.

“Well come on,” Kaoru pushed. “Ask me about that whore, Ruri-sama.”  His tone choked up my tongue. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest without putting my hands to it.

“Go one,” Kaoru repeated. “Ask me.”