Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni kenshin or any relaed characters/

The filth-dark waves crashed against the decades old pier. Boats that were tied to moorings in the harbor rode the choppy water that was driven by the harsh northern wind. Nothing stirred on the marina, not even the customary rats associated with the New York harbor. Every stray animal seemed to avoid the ghoulish barges and dark warehouses.

The only sign of life was tiny light that flared within a black painted van. Inside a darkly dressed man took a puff from a cigarette the embers giving light to the dark interior. "Tom, what the hell are you doin'? You're giving away our position!" A meaty hand slapped the one named Tom on the back of the head.

"Ouch!"Tommy put out the cigarette but he needn't have worried about giving away their position as a white Rolls Royce pulled up onto the pier. Without stopping, the vehicle drove into a private warehouse. Light flooded the harbor as the car pulled into the building.

"Let's go." Putting the car in drive, Tim followed close behind. Finally the door slid to a close behind them. Inside was a private dock with a medium size ship. A large crane was welded to the ground and was busy lifting a heavy box onto the slippery pavement.

The door to the Rolls Royce opened to reveal a splendidly dressed man in his early thirties. Of Spanish heritage, the man had deep brown eyes and tanned skin. Yet one knew he never worked outside a day in his life. Flashing a warm smile the man bowed with a flourish. "I am Senor Terra. Where is Mr. Hruvis, if I may ask?

Tom wiped his nose with the back of one sleeve before answering, "Something came up Mr. Terra, but the boss said he would be here shortly." A flash of worry seemed to go through Terra's eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Now" Tim cracked his knuckles," why don't we open this here gift." Both brothers withdrew iron crowbars from the van and started walking to the large wooden crate.

"Please stop!" exclaimed Terra, as he made an effort to block the two men from opening the crate. But in the next instant the man found himself looking down the barrel of a handgun. "I suggest you stay right where you are Senor Terra."A grubby thumb pulled down the hammer. "We just wanna see what you got in here. That okay with you?" Terra's pupils were wide. He nodded slowly."Good choice." Tim put the gun in his waist band and the two brothers walked forward.

The closer the brothers got the more they noticed strange letters carved into the borders of the crate. "Ay,Tim. What language is this?"Tom asked. He ran a hand over the letters. "I don't know and I don't give a crap. Just open this stupid thing." In reality, the carvings unnerved Tim.

Placing their crowbars under the front of the box the two men pulled backward. Slowly but surely the nails let lose their grip on the wood and the slat fell o the floor but what followed was not what was expected. Not the powder of cocaine or the flow of dollars but an unearthly screech filled the warehouse.