A/N: Hello Everyone! This is my first fan fiction. So please be lenient and make sure to review it as it will really help me a lot. And Thank You all (assuming you will read it till the end :P).

Disclaimer: I do not own the City Hunter and its characters except for the ones which I have invented.

1. A Trouble

It has been eight months since Kaori was living away from Ryo, with her sister Sayuri, in Adachi district of Tokyo (not too far from Shinjuku). His Sugar Boy was now a gym instructor and helping hand at a day care. While Kaori was striving her hard to live away from Ryo and trying to move on with her life, Ryo was more like a living corpse. His reason of living was snatched away from him, though he was majorly responsible for it. Once again that feeling of loosing her to death, had kept him from giving voice to his true feelings. While his mind was at solace for her Sugar Boy was now living a life away from any danger but his heart was always crying out to reach her. Every day he was pretending that nothing in his life has changed except for the fact that there were no hammers (which was supposedly a good thing) and every night he would go on drinking till the pain of this separation would fade away. Nothing much was left in his life except for the cases which Saeko would occasionally give him and those three letters "XYZ" which were quite frequent. Surely the crime rate in Tokyo was increasing and was keeping the lone City Hunter busy.

One such fine morning (noon to be more precise), Ryo was on his way to the station to do his everyday work like checking the requests from customers and doing skirt chasing. But something felt wrong from this morning as if a warning of an impending danger. Our sweeper surely trusted his senses more than his eyes and ears. It was clearly this ability that has made him the best sweeper of Japan. And then suddenly the face of his angel crossed his mind. He felt a sudden chill down his spine. Dark thoughts started flowing through his mind. He forcefully stopped it and made sure to ask Miki about Kaori that evening. He reached the station board and there it was those letters "XYZ". But what shocked him more was the handwriting that seemed awfully familiar. The meeting place was Cat's Eye the next day and the two flowers – one red and the other white, were the way to identify the customer. There was a flicker of fearful and concerned expression on his face. But this was very soon replaced with a drooling face of our sweeper followed by a screaming of a woman. Sure our sweeper knew how to keep himself busy…

At Cat's Eye..

Since Kaori was a very good friend of Miki, she would occasionally come and meet her. She would also give Miki a splendid performance of how happy was she with her new life, for her eyes were now a bottomless pit of pain and sorrow. All her friends knew that the reason was separation from Ryo and only their reconciliation could bring happiness in both Kaori's and Ryo's life. And hence all were waiting for the right opportunity to bring them back together. Though both were acting like nothing has happened, all of them were painfully aware of their feelings. And when one such opportunity presented before Miki, she just could not let it go. It was a few days back when Kaori was having a lunch with Miki and telling her the problem of Sayuri.

*Flashback….

- So Kaori, how is your work as gym instructor going on? And any further development with Mr. Ichinose?

- (Blushing) It's as tiring as ever and I already told you that I have no interest in Mr. Ichinose!

- But you are blushing Kaori!

- I am not! And he is nice to me because he is a gentleman unlike someone I know...

- And what about you? Do you also feel nothing about him… He is a handsome and gentleman too… There is no harm in giving it a try… And wasn't he the one who asked you out for a dinner…

- That was just on a whim…

- It's hard to believe, after all you are his personal instructor! (Then continued her teasing) And I am sure you two must had a few close moments too...

- Give your imagination a rest dear... He is a business tycoon of Japan... Why will he have any interest in a common girl like me...(The atmosphere suddenly became heavy) And I want to live my life without any further complications...

-(Sensing the atmosphere, she changed the topic) So… How's your your part time job at day care is going on?

Kaori's face glowed up immediately.

- I just love that job Miki! It's simply so refreshing.. Whenever I am down, those innocent smiles of children sure fill me with immense joy and energy..

- And how is Sayuri?

Suddenly expression on Kaori's face changed. She seemed visibly upset and worried but remained silent about it.

-If there is something that is bothering you Kaori, you know you can always tell me.

Kaori knew escaping Miki was next to impossible so chose her words carefully. It was important to exclude herself from the problem while narrating it to Miki. Already Sayuri was in such a position because of her, and she does not want anyone else to fall into it.

-You see Miki… Lately, Sayuri is receiving some threat letters. You know that she is the editor of the newspaper and such things are more or less common for her, but….

-But what Kaori?

Miki was visibly worried and Kaori does not want to worry her more. But knows that hiding even the basic information from her was futile as she needed her help and so went ahead.

-Well… Three times in the last week alone our house was attacked and every time there was note left which said "Obey our Words". They are sure trying to intimidate us!

Then there was a long pause… She cannot carelessly tell anyone that she was the main target.

-None of us were ever injured but surely this is more like a mental attack… God only knows what will happen now...

-This is not at all good Kaori! Why not ask for help from police?

- (Kaori shrugged) I also asked the same thing from Sayuri but she declined saying that it is a part of her work and doing so might grab the attention of media and this will be bad for her untainted reputation in the industry...

Both of them were silent for a moment and then Kaori resumed speaking.

- So I was thinking of asking help from Falcon or Mick…

Though Miki was worried for Sayuri, she didn't forget that Kaori's rightful place was beside Ryo and thought this was a good chance to bring them back together. It might be tough for them in the beginning but she knew that their love will win, however hard be the challenge.

- Kaori I don't think Falcon and Mick will be able to help you… Falcon already has another bodyguard job which will keep him busy for the next two weeks and for Mick…

(hesitantly) Well… he always seems with Kazue and I don't think you would like to interfere in their newly built love nest..But there is someone else who can help you..

- Should I ask Saeko then?

"Ahhhhh… Seriously how can Kaori be so dense... Only one person is left and all she can think of is Saeko... I guess she is turning oblivious to Ryo… Poor him... Well in one way he deserves this... But if things go on like this, then we may never see them together again... Well I will have to do something..."- Thought Miki furiosly.

- Kaori... Why don't you ask Ryo? He will definitely help you...

- (Though she perfectly knew where Miki was heading, still those words were like a bomb dropped on her. Not a night spent by when she doesn't think of him… Every part of her body and heart craved for a single glance of him… And only she knew how much she has controlled herself… And she perfectly knew that one look from him and all that she had built up till that time will collapse in a second… That was exactly how much she loved Ryo and instead of fading away it was increasing more and more with each passing day… And she doesn't want to face him again as she won't be able to bear another separation... But for the sake of Sayuri she has to do it... Somewhere in the corner of her her mind she knew it very well that it was only Ryo who would and who could help her...) I don't think he will accept my request... Don't you remember what he said when Silver Fox threatened to kill me.

- Oh Kaori! did you forget those numerous times when you were kidnapped and Ryo saved you. And besides it's about your sister this time and I am sure he will accept your request. You just prepare yourself for the meeting... If possible have it in Cat's Eye only, so that if he rejects we might help you...

- Fine Miki.. I will contact him but through the "XYZ" (does not want to face him so suddenly).

- Don't worry Kaori.. Just have faith in Ryo like you always used to do.

- Thanks Miki.. You are always such a help.

With this their meeting ended and Kaori went back to her new home.

Flashback Ends*

"It is approximately the time for Kaori's meeting with Ryo. She will be here any moment" as soon as Miki thought this Kaori was there at the door looking as pretty as ever. She gave her greetings to Miki and placed two flowers one red and the other white on the table, as mentioned in her message.

Soon Ryo reached the Cat's Eye and promptly jumped on Miki, but instead met with a frying pan launched on his face by Falcon. Cursing the big head Ryo scanned all the tables for the two flowers. "There they are" thought Ryo. A brunette was sitting there and with her head down. As soon as she lifted her head and met his eyes, Ryo felt short of his breath. His heart skipped many of the beats. She was there, with her sweet eyes overflowing with love for him (though he could sense the pain in them too). All he wanted at that time was to take his Sugar Boy in his arms and hug her, but with inhumane strength refrained himself. But then his mind started racing, thinking why her Sugar Boy needed his help? What could have happened to her? Who in the mortal world could have dared to threatened her? At all these thoughts, Ryo's blood turned cold and the sweeper within him sworn to show the living hell, to the person who dared to hurt her.

In the meanwhile, when Kaori saw him, her mind went blank. All she need need was that man in front of her. Those Black eyes which she had not seen for months, now called her to him. How badly she wanted to feel the warmth of his hands and body. She doesn't knew why or from when she loved him. But there was no doubt in her mind, that in her life it was either Ryo or no one. And in months she spoke that name for the first time.

"Ryo", softly mouthed Kaori.

Continued...