“So why you in my room?” The Foreigner asked. Mari pushed herself further against the wall – if that was even possible. The Foreigner crossed his arms, covering even more of the doorway. “You’re not getting out until you tell me what happened so you might as well talk.” He gave an expecting look; they could tell he was serious. Kou glanced over at Mari, he was still tense like he was ready to attack the Master.

“I guess he might as well. There’s no way out,” she decided. Still, she liked living. Mari gave Kou a slow nod, still keeping herself plastered in the corner of the room. Kou loosened his body and stood up straight. She could tell that Kou wanted nothing to do with fighting a vampire – not like he is now.

“We were looking for the crucifix that you took from her,” Kou replied, pointing at Mari.

“That’s it?” The Master looked almost exasperated that he even had to deal with this. He glanced over at Mari before focusing back on Kou.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“It’s hers. It’s very important to her. She just wants it back.”

“I wasn’t asking you,” the Foreigner’s words boomed in the tiny room, taking Kou aback. “If she wants her necklace back, she can ask for it. No one needs to speak for her.”

Kou immediately walked towards Mari and pulled her out of the corner. “Ask.”

“What?” Kou gave her a nudge toward the giant man before plopping down in the same corner. Mari couldn’t help but notice how much more comfortable he was now. It was like night and day. He seemed upbeat, despite just a few minutes ago thinking they were on death’s door. His posture was relaxed and his charming grin came back.

“What do you want?” the Foreigner asked again.

“M-my crucifix. I really want it back. It means the world to me.” The Foreigner stood in silence, clearly unimpressed. Mari could tell she would have to go farther for a response. Feeding a vampire’s ego was always the best thing to do. She dropped to her knees and bowed deeply, face touching the ground. “Please. If you have it. I’m begging you please give it back. I need it.” Tears started to well up now. Her body shook lightly. So close. Too close.

Her body tensed as the Foreigner cleared his throat. “Don’t bow. Stand up strong.” Jumping to her feet, she stared at him hard. He was looking away from her, trying hard to avoid eye contact before rummaging inside his hakama for a small bag. His large hands reached inside for the thing that Mari had desired for days.

“Is this what you’re looking for?” Mari eyes widened. Faster than she would care to admit, Mari ran and hugged the Foreigner. Her arms wrapped as far around his thick torso as she could. She didn’t care where she was or who he is. She was sure that Kou had a sheepish look on her face, but she would deal with it later. She had her crucifix back. Eventually, the thought crept in that this man could kill her with the flick of his wrist and she jumped backwards before bowing and begging for forgiveness.

“Here.” He handed her the crucifix and stepped aside, finally freeing the entrance to the door. “Just remember, if you hope to survive in this world, you’re going to have to be stronger than you are. A lot stronger.” The Foreigner sat on his bed and pulled out a small book from his hakama, clearly uninterested in what the two teens had to say. Kou jumped up and grabbed Mari by the hand and led her out the door.

“Don’t push our luck,” he whispered. He stopped at the doorway to bow and left.

Mari followed suit. “Thank you,” she said. “You have no idea how much this means to me.” The Foreigner waved at her, not taking his eyes off his book. Shutting the door behind her, Mari dashed after Kou who was already halfway down the hall.

“Come on, Mari. We wasted enough time here.” The opened the door and ran through the elaborate opening room. Fortunately for both of them, the room was empty. Mari wished she could stop and enjoy the paintings. Between Kou’s incessant comments about pulling off the greatest stealth mission in the history of castle Harvest and her desire to not have her contract extended however, she had to keep running. Another day, perhaps, she mused. The two hit the stairs as fast as they could.

“Are you sure running down the stairs is a good idea?” Mari asked.

“Do you want to get caught?” Kou retorted. Mari was silent. “I didn’t think so. No keep running.” Mari’s face turned red. She hated it when Kou acted like he was an uncharted explorer in a foreign land when it’s just a castle they had lived in for most of their lives. Still, without him, she wouldn’t be holding her crucifix.

“Thank you, Kou.”

“Thank me when we hit the basement, and we’re in the clear.” Mari nodded. A couple minutes later, the two finally hit the bottom of the stairway. The two could barely stand once they got there. Kou immediately dropped to his knees.

“Finally,” Kou said between breaths. “Mission successful.”

“What mission?”

Kou and Mari turned their attention to a nearby wall to see Asami standing beside one of the few lanterns in the dark hallway.

“Damn it,” Kou muttered. “The last person we need.”