Disclaimer: I don't own it.
A/N: Yet another story. I hope that you all enjoy this.
There was a knock on Rei's door. "Come in." The neko-jin didn't raise his eyes from the files in his hands as the door opened. "Rei, we have a slight problem." Rei set the files to one side, golden eyes worried. "What's wrong?" His employee, Zane, sunk into the chair across from Rei, a large leather bound book under his arm. The blonde opened the book and flipped through the slightly tattered pages.
Finding the page he was looking for, he set the book on the desk, knobby fingers pointing out several numbers. "Somewhere in the past couple of months, our numbers got messed up. We seem to be losing money, which doesn't make any sense. We're doing as much business as ever and there's no good reason why."
Rei ran a hand through his bangs, eyes sliding part way shut. "I noticed that too. I can't figure out where it's going. We always have at least three people check the books." Zane closed the book and leaned back in his chair. "There's always the thought that someone is stealing it."
The raven-haired man smiled wryly, one fang barely visible. "I also thought of that. I want to do a little more research before I start making random accusations. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt." Zane got to his feet, book held securely. He smiled. "That's what we like about you Rei. You give everyone a second chance."
Zane had been an alcoholic, desperate for a job. Rei had given him a job, under one circumstance, Zane had to go through rehabilitation. The blonde had done so and had been free from alcohol's influence for a year and a half. Many of the other people employed in Rei's store had had similar backgrounds.
"Zane?" The blonde turned back. "How many people know the combination for the vault?" Zane brushed back a strand of hair, blue eyes thoughtful. "You, me and Arielle." Zane was the store's accountant and Arielle took the money to the bank at the end of each day. Arielle was the mother of twins. Her husband had left her shortly before their birth, leaving her to raise them alone.
"Do you think it's her?" Rei shook his head. "Like I said, I want to take a little more time before I decide everything. I just hope it isn't her. I don't think Chris and Shelby could handle having their mother taken away from them." Zane shook his head. "No they couldn't. Well, I'll leave you to your work."
Zane left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Rei leaned back in his chair, eyes wandering over the various mementos that littered his office. Rei had started the small Chinese antique and herbal shop not long after the Bladebreakers had gone their separate ways. During the time he had been looking for a place to house his store, he had become a licensed homeopathic healer.
Citrine eyes rested on a framed picture that hung on the wall, lips curling into a small half smile. The picture had been taken days before the team had split up, five years ago. He talked to Max, Tyson and Kenny on a semi- regular basis. None had heard from Kai in those years. Not even Kai's many companies had been mentioned. Rei wasn't entirely sure why he cared what had happened to his captain. Kai had been less then social when they had all been together.
His thoughts were pulled back when he heard knocking. "Come in." Arielle stuck her head into his office, dark eyes slightly confused. "Rei, there's some here to see you. Claims that he's an old friend." The neko-jin frowned. "Anyone that's been here before?" She shook her head. "No. He's taller then anyone else that's ever come," she smiled slightly. "And his voice is sexier then hell."
Rei smiled, eyes dancing with humor. "I'll take your word. You might as well send him in." Arielle smiled again and left the door slightly ajar. The hall was silent for several seconds before the sound of footsteps echoed on the hard wood. The pace was slow and deliberate and seemed painfully familiar.
The door swung open and Rei's eyes widened in shock, breathing becoming painfully short.
"KAI!"
A/N: Yet another story. I hope that you all enjoy this.
There was a knock on Rei's door. "Come in." The neko-jin didn't raise his eyes from the files in his hands as the door opened. "Rei, we have a slight problem." Rei set the files to one side, golden eyes worried. "What's wrong?" His employee, Zane, sunk into the chair across from Rei, a large leather bound book under his arm. The blonde opened the book and flipped through the slightly tattered pages.
Finding the page he was looking for, he set the book on the desk, knobby fingers pointing out several numbers. "Somewhere in the past couple of months, our numbers got messed up. We seem to be losing money, which doesn't make any sense. We're doing as much business as ever and there's no good reason why."
Rei ran a hand through his bangs, eyes sliding part way shut. "I noticed that too. I can't figure out where it's going. We always have at least three people check the books." Zane closed the book and leaned back in his chair. "There's always the thought that someone is stealing it."
The raven-haired man smiled wryly, one fang barely visible. "I also thought of that. I want to do a little more research before I start making random accusations. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt." Zane got to his feet, book held securely. He smiled. "That's what we like about you Rei. You give everyone a second chance."
Zane had been an alcoholic, desperate for a job. Rei had given him a job, under one circumstance, Zane had to go through rehabilitation. The blonde had done so and had been free from alcohol's influence for a year and a half. Many of the other people employed in Rei's store had had similar backgrounds.
"Zane?" The blonde turned back. "How many people know the combination for the vault?" Zane brushed back a strand of hair, blue eyes thoughtful. "You, me and Arielle." Zane was the store's accountant and Arielle took the money to the bank at the end of each day. Arielle was the mother of twins. Her husband had left her shortly before their birth, leaving her to raise them alone.
"Do you think it's her?" Rei shook his head. "Like I said, I want to take a little more time before I decide everything. I just hope it isn't her. I don't think Chris and Shelby could handle having their mother taken away from them." Zane shook his head. "No they couldn't. Well, I'll leave you to your work."
Zane left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Rei leaned back in his chair, eyes wandering over the various mementos that littered his office. Rei had started the small Chinese antique and herbal shop not long after the Bladebreakers had gone their separate ways. During the time he had been looking for a place to house his store, he had become a licensed homeopathic healer.
Citrine eyes rested on a framed picture that hung on the wall, lips curling into a small half smile. The picture had been taken days before the team had split up, five years ago. He talked to Max, Tyson and Kenny on a semi- regular basis. None had heard from Kai in those years. Not even Kai's many companies had been mentioned. Rei wasn't entirely sure why he cared what had happened to his captain. Kai had been less then social when they had all been together.
His thoughts were pulled back when he heard knocking. "Come in." Arielle stuck her head into his office, dark eyes slightly confused. "Rei, there's some here to see you. Claims that he's an old friend." The neko-jin frowned. "Anyone that's been here before?" She shook her head. "No. He's taller then anyone else that's ever come," she smiled slightly. "And his voice is sexier then hell."
Rei smiled, eyes dancing with humor. "I'll take your word. You might as well send him in." Arielle smiled again and left the door slightly ajar. The hall was silent for several seconds before the sound of footsteps echoed on the hard wood. The pace was slow and deliberate and seemed painfully familiar.
The door swung open and Rei's eyes widened in shock, breathing becoming painfully short.
"KAI!"