The Mysterious Figure

Kien and Kiizu proceeded to walk around the town though upon approaching a restaurant Kiizu's eyes lit up as she quickly pointed out the area to Kien.

"Let's get some food!"

"We're on a mission, we shouldn't be wasting our time with such things."

Grabbing his arm, she pouted as he could feel her stomach growl unpleasantly which resulted in her blushing turning her head away. Palming his face with his hand, he pulled his arm away from her and crossed his arms looking at her.

"Fine…but be quick about it."

"Yay!"

Quickly taking his hand, he was abruptly dragged into the restaurant as the hostess approached them with a brief smile seeing their demeanor.

"A table for two for the cute couple?"

"Tch..."

"C-Couple?!"

The hostess laughed a little seeing their reaction and coughed briefly to then escort them to a table which so happens to have a scenic view of the city.

"Do please take your time, I'll be awaiting your call."

Nervously sitting across from each other, Kiizu hid herself behind her menu as Kien calmly sat with his eyes closed with the moon's light illuminating his presence. Regaining composure, her heart leapt then seeing him then slapping her cheeks she resumed focus on the menu.

'This all looks so good...I don't really have much on me...'

"Get whatever you want, we need to leave soon."

"Really?!"

Kiizu immediately responded happily as her ears and tail perked up expressing her satisfaction.

Pointing to her menu, his finger traced across a dish that caught her eye as he then returned to his resting position.

"This dish is rather popular to tourists, perhaps you'll enjoy it."

Taken aback, Kiizu was surprised at this sudden act of kindness from Kien.

'Did...he just recommend me something to eat?'

"T-Thank you!"

"Whatever..."

Approaching the table, the hostess noticed it looked as though they were ready. Soon after they had their meal, they proceeded towards the rendezvous point that was previously assigned as the night slowly grew upon them.

Ellenore City, Len's Manor, Midnight

Arriving near the manor, they took a moment to study its security though it was unusually quiet in the home. It was usual for nobles to spend their time actively basking in their wealth though tonight the building lay silent to the duo.

"Something's wrong, let's move."

"R-Right!"

Immediately disappearing into the shadows, Kien quickly moved into the manor as Kiizu was dumbfounded on how to approach the gates discreetly though as soon as she began thinking, the gate slowly opened as if inviting her.

'Oh, right...he's an expert in this...'

Walking inside, she noticed the rest of the crew gathered as Kien appeared before them giving them a light scare as Kiizu approached them.

"Jeez, you almost gave me a heart attack..."

"No kidding..."

"At least no one screamed..."

"...Heh"

Smiling, Kiizu then awaited further orders from Kien who calmly waited for them to finish their banter.

"You know your orders, however, do keep in mind that security is non-existent. Which either means Len is stupid, or we an interloper in our midst."

"Understood!" They all responded as they began to move to their positions.

"Let's go Kiizu, do not keep me waiting."

"Okay!"

Approaching the door would be silly and obvious to break her cover to which Kiizu turned to a small bunker leading to the cellar.

'The lock is...broken...'

Opening the door, she proceeded inside as her eyes soon glowed softly allowing her to see in the darkness. A select assortment of wine was visible, but also some unusual figures that laid near the door upstairs.

"B-Bodies?!"

Taken aback, she then noted that they were in fact guards to which she quickly rushed up the stairs and opened into the kitchen. It was rather clean and had no cause for worry though upon looking towards the foyer a trail of blood trickled from the stairs.

"P-Please...anyone...help me...pl..ease..."

Quickly moving to the voice, she noticed a young woman on the floor clutching towards the main entrance as Kiizu knelt before her. Her wounds were deep, and there was no way of saving her as the loss of blood seeped into Kiizu's knees as the woman turned to see her and smiled then reached for a hand.

"My...child...please...save my child...pleas-"

Her eyes rolled back as her grip loosened as the comfort of death released her from her torment as Kiizu closed her eyes then standing up sobbed lightly at this.

'What happened here?'

Turning to the upper area the blood trail came from the West Wing which meant that someone had already beat them to the target, nevertheless the others soon arrived and were shocked at what they saw.

"Kiizu! We heard someone, did you…" Nashi inquired.

"No! She was already dying when I found her."

"What do we do? Our mission isn't exactly a quiet matter now." Ringo piped up inspecting the woman's remains.

"We move on, that's obvious enough." Iris softly remarked walking towards the East Wing.

"Nashi and I will stay here as planned, it's gross but we'll at least do our duty in surveillance." Kaki shrugged patting Nashi on the shoulder.

Nodding to these suggestions, Kiizu then proceeded to the West Wing while Iris and Ringo went to check on the East where the child was supposed to be at.

Approaching the Master Bedroom, Kiizu felt an unusual presence and drew her blade only to be grasped instantly by the throat and slammed into a wall.

"GAH!"

"Oh? A little kitten here? What. A. Shame."

"W-Who...are you?!"

Suddenly, a blade was placed against the figure's throat who could only grin from under the hood as Kiizu recognized to be Kien's blade.

"That's my question, now talk."

Softly trailing his blade across the figure's neck, blood trickling on the sharp edge.

"Oho? I like this feeling, yes...the sense of danger."

"Dammit, of all people we have a crazy one tonight..."

"YOU BET YOU DO!"

"Tch..."

Quickly evading a sharp kick, Kien dodged as he soon saw Kiizu being thrown at him to which he caught instinctively as he soon felt the figure's presence behind him.

"You KurtzPel should know better than to cross with a ParazPel, HAHA!"

"Geh!"

Kicking the two of them, the figure proceeded on the attack as Kien sharply countered and returned blows as Kiizu proceeded to rise and participate in this bout.

"Stay back!"

"B-But..."

"No Buts!"

"YES...YES THIS IS HOW BATTLES ARE TO BE! EXCITING!"

Unleashing a crescent strike the figure quickly leapt back as the others soon approached from behind upon hearing the commotion.

"Oh? How fun, more toys to play with tonight. Kitten, you shouldn't have."