STANDARD DISCLAIMER'S REPLY

A/N: I'm back! Thanks to all those who have patiently waited for the conclusion of "Family Ties", it was greatly appreciated.

On with the freakin' story….

Chapter 1: Damsel in Distress?

Raeven knew she shouldn't invite trouble. But how can she avoid trouble when it comes looking for her? She looked warily at the two drunks as she folded the map of Kanagawa and tucked it her leather jacket. To say that they creeped her out was an understatement. Her lips curled in disdain and her whole body tensed as she watched the two of them leer at her as they approached.

Eww, Rae thought. Why does it have to be me? She sighed as she put on her helmet and pulled her bike keys from the back pocket of her jeans.

"Whatcha doin' there, missy?" the one with the dread locks asked her,

"Wanna have some fun tonight?" his companion added.

"Sorry, boys, Missy's not in the mood," she said offhandedly as she straddled her Ducati.

"Aw, come on, don't be a party pooper," Dreadlocks cajoled her and made a grab at her wrist. Raeven winced as her head started to throb and the offending smell of halitosis from the two drunkards was making her nauseous.

Great! Now, jet lag's setting in, she thought sourly as she glared at the men through her visor. Just peachy!

"Take a hike, bucko, and get your slimy hands off of me," Rae said with subtle steel in her voice, her green eyes sparking in irritation as she tried to pull her hand back.

"Why don't you take the lady's advice and take a hike?" a smooth voice said. "I'm sure there are others out there that, er, vie for your attention."

"You take a hike! We saw her first!" Dreadlock's minion slurred spewing spit and Rae pulled a face.

"We got first dibs on her," Dreadlock seconded.

First dibs! Of all the… Rae thought in outrage and tugged her hand harder. Though the two men were drunk they were still men, thus, stonger.

NOT!

Rae yanked her wrist back and gave Dreadlock a sucker punch in the face then rammed her helmet into his companion's face. The two men groaned drunkenly in pain as they succumbed to unconsciousness.

"I told you I'm in no mood tonight," she said and smiled smugly at the two men at her feet then turned to look at her 'rescuer'. "Some knight in shining armor you are."

Hisashi Mitsui was taken aback by the sarcasm that laced that husky accented voice and smirked at the challenge it presented. Two can play at that game. "Sorry, just thought a girl like you needs a knight." He said and added mockingly, "But I guess you're not that kind of girl."

"It's the 21st century, Sir Galahad. There ain't no damsel in distress no more," Rae replied and started her bike's engine.

Hisashi noticed that the girl was gaijin. Apart from her slightly accented Japanese, the waist length blond hair was a dead giveaway.

With another smile, Hisashi decided to turn on the charm and said, "By the way, I'm Mitsui Hisashi."

Rae looked at the mysterious guy in disbelief. Pfft, I hate guys that think they're God's gift to women she thought and turned to face him and bit her lip thoughtfully when she saw a tall and broad shouldered guy who was smiling lazily at her, his cobalt blue eyes alight with amusement. Okay, so maybe he is but…

"And I'm not interested," she replied dryly as she revved her engine.

"Got someplace to be or are you running away from me?" Hisashi asked, motivated to get her name when she didn't voluntarily give it to him.

Rae's laugh came out as a snort and winked at him before slapping the tinted visor of her helmet down. "Don't worry, Sir Galahad," she said over the engine's roar. "I've got a feeling we'll meet again. But till then, behave."

And in a cloud of smoke, Rae gunned her bike to the deserted streets of downtown Kanagawa like there's no tomorrow.

Hisashi saluted the speeding motorcycle as it rounded up a corner then continued his interrupted jog.

I hope we meet sooner rather than later, princess, he thought and smiled as he accidentally stepped on Dreadlock'shand.

A/N: Okay, here's the lowdown. I'm not from New York and I've never been to Japan so if there is any wrong information added in this fic. I have to remind you that all that took place happened In my idea of how Japan and the Big Apple is.

Reviews, people! Give me some!