Page 3 of Behind the Mask

"My good sir," Minoru said with a smile that had convinced more than one man to get himself in trouble, "try to remove his mask."

The Captain quirked his brow, but gamely nodded and stood, moving around the table to approach Kasumi.He hesitated a moment, then reached up to pull off the mask.

It didn't come off.

Kasumi wished fervently that inflicting harm upon his master was not strictly against the contract.

"Why will it not come off?"the Captain asked.

"So it is true that your people do still practice magic?"Luther asked.

Minoru chuckled softly."Only in bits and pieces.I myself know nothing of magic.The secret clans, such as Kasumi's, still know bits of it.The mask Kasumi wears is probably one of the strongest bits of magic that still exists."

"Fascinating," Luther said, pushing back his glasses again and if he did it one more time Kasumi was going to yank them off his face and fix the damned things.Honestly, did he not pay attention to such trivial details?This man was supposed to be one of the greatest scholars in the world and he could not even dress himself?Had he no pride?

Dinner continued in agonizing fashion.Kasumi did not mind the stillness.He used to dinner longer and more tedious than this.It was simply that he could not reconcile the man before him with the scholar about whom he had heard so much.Neither could he understand why his master was so indulgent of the man who looked like an idiot, stumbled over his words like a fool, yet clearly possessed the rumored brilliance.

A man so visible should care more about how he looks.

When they finally reached the dessert course, Kasumi almost wanted to cheer in relief.

Then Luther spilled his coffee all over his cake and Kasumi settled for rolling his eyes, not even caring if anyone realized what he was doing—which was highly doubtful.When at last the dinner and chatting and farewells finally came to a close, Kasumi all but dragged Minoru back to their cabin.

Minoru laughed.

Kasumi pointedly ignored him, playing the role of protector and nothing more, until with a last laugh Minoru climbed into bed and shortly fell asleep.

Still he stood, opposite the bed where he could see everything most clearly—the single porthole, the door, and the bed.When at last every sound or lack of sound seemed to indicate all aboard had settled in to sleep, he closed his own eyes to catch what rest he could.Still standing.

He woke the sound of movement, but knew before he even opened his eyes it was Minoru.The sounds around him indicated morning.

"Good morning, Kasumi."

"Master," Kasumi said with a grunt.

"You should eat."

Kasumi shrugged.

Minoru sighed."Call for breakfast, would you, Kasumi.Breakfast fortwo.”

"Master."He strode to the door, frowning as he reached it—and yanked the door open to see a sailor poised to knock.

"Um."The sailor shook himself."Captain wanted to know if his lordship would like to join him for breakfast."

"Tell the Captain I very much would," Minoru called."Please have a small meal brought quickly for my man."

"Yes, your lordship," the sailor said, then snapped a salute and darted off.

Kasumi moved back to his spot against the far wall and resumed his post.

"You cannot still be upset about last night," Minoru said lightly."Do you still dislike that man so much?"

"He was no man," Kasumi said."He was a fool.Why would a man humiliate himself so?Had he no pride?No care?"

Minoru sighed."Kasumi, we have known each other for nearly a decade.I know you better than perhaps you realize, and certainly I know you better than most of your clan.Is his awkwardness truly all you see in that man?Is it not intriguing that he irritates you so?"

"I am not your pupil," Kasumi said coldly."Save your lessons for those who have the desire and the coin to pay for them."

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