Hopefully you all found Chapter 1 to be to your taste! Here is the second part of the story up to where it was written. After this chapter, the pace of the story is hopefully going to pick up. Some new characters are going to step in.

As they walked towards the scene of Prince's most recent theft, there was only one thought running through their heads: Is Prince going to show up?

When they inspected the scene, it was most puzzling. Nothing looked like it had been stolen. It looked like the family simply didn't have a phone to begin with.

Taking the lead as usual, Tezuka barked orders at the confused team. "Oishi and Kikumaru, start sketching the scene and taking photographs. Fuji, I want a comparison sketch of the family's description of their house. Inui and Kaidoh, bag and tag any evidence."

A chorus of 'Yes sir!' chimed around the room before everyone went to work. Inui and Kaidoh looked a bit at a loss. What was considered evidence when everything looked untouched?

"That's strange. He only stole the phone, right?" Fuji asked, "but the comparison notes from the family's statement mention a jewelry box and laptop as well. Where were these items before they were stolen?"

"10 points from the genius," a new voice proclaimed, "because he stole the TV as well."

As all six members of the Seishun squad whirled around at the sound of a potential threat, the only thing they saw was a short kid with a cap covering most of his face. A smirk was visible, playing across his lips.

They were silent, rendered speechless until Tezuka cleared his throat irritably and said, "Who are you? This is a crime scene; unauthorized personnel are not allowed."

The kid was silent for a moment. When he raised his eyes to meet Tezuka's, Tezuka was stunned by the ferocity in the gaze. His voice was teasing as he snarked, "You're the new investigation team, right? You should know my name my name by now."

"..Prince."

The kid smirked and said, "And 10 points to the stiff old man! That's my name."

Tezuka's lips pursed. If Inui had brought up the rumor earlier, they could have been prepared to capture Prince when he revealed himself. But now, judging by where Prince was standing and taking into account that the team was scattered around the rooms, he would have a good advantage if they gave chase.

While this exchange was going on, one member of the Seishun squad was watching with narrowed eyes.

"Nya, Kaidoh, why the evil glare?" Kikumaru asked.

Ignoring the others, he averted his eyes, mind racing at the implications of what he saw. This obviously only drew Kikumaru's attention, and by extension, everyone else in the room.

Upon seeing Kaidoh, Prince looked stunned, before recognition dawned across his features. Grinning smugly, he sauntered closer to Kaidoh, confident and careless as a cat. Tezuka noted that he was still cautious enough to keep well out of reach. "Well, well...its...not very nice to see you again, Heaven's Serpent."

Hissing and furious at being called out, Kaidoh replied, "Likewise, Hell's Kitsune. Why are you here? Earth's Warrior Maiden has already ordered you leave. You've no right on this ground." His voice was low and his teammates strained to hear what he said.

Inui watched this exchange, pencil scribbling at top speed. So Kaidoh was still thick in the underground? This was interesting. So this was the connection to Prince that Kaidoh had. Why hadn't they noticed it? Hell's Kitsune, Heaven's Serpent, Earth's Warrior Maiden. These were all prominent names in the Tokyo criminal elite.

Tilting his head back, Prince grinned mischievously. "And who says I bow to the Maiden? I am the Kitsune, just like you said."

"Nya...aren't kitsunes supposed to be good? And aren't snakes supposed to be bad?" Kikumaru whispered to Oishi, "So why-"

The Prince caught the comment and smirked, sending shivers down Kikumaru's spine.

"Oh, little fox, it's so cute when you're confused," he laughed mirthlessly, "Good and bad are such meaningless words. In the underworld, your gifts are what define you. What, your pet snake never told you this? Tsk, tsk, Kaidoh…is that any way to treat the hand that feeds you?" His voice dropped at the end, layering meaning and innuendo over the words.

Tezuka stepped forward, cutting off Kaidoh's retort. Even if the chances of actual capture were low, he had to try. Reaching for his handcuffs, he said, "We can discuss this later. At the moment, Prince, you are under arrest."

A wide grin spread across his face, and Tezuka couldn't suppress a feeling of foreboding. What had he missed? Even if Prince had a head start, Seishun's agents were well trained and armed. Capture, if not likely, was not impossible either.

Kaidoh's eyes widened. "Tezuka, no!"

Too late.

Before their very eyes, Prince jumped, aiming for the ceiling, and...

Disappeared.

Kaidoh cursed loudly. "I'll be back in a minute. Don't move." he said tersely.

Whirling, he spun and...

Disappeared as well.

Now, the only thoughts running through the remaining Seishun members was: where the hell are they and what the hell was that?

In a shadowed alley outside the investigation team, two figures appeared.

Eyes wary, Hell's Kitsune stood in a defensive stance, watching Kaidoh carefully.

Kaidoh saw this and frowned. "Why are you so wary, Ryoma? Do you think that lowly of me? I won't attack you. Not like this." He reached out a hand to grasp the younger boy's shoulder.

At the comforting gesture, Ryoma relaxed, but his posture was guarded and tense.

Kaidoh's eyes softened and he asked quietly, "I just wanted to know; why are you back? It's not often that you venture into the Maiden's territory. Did something happen?" His eyes watched the younger teen carefully for any reaction.

Hearing this, Ryoma averted his eyes and he whispered, "Queen is back. You know who I serve first." His voice was subdued and he stared hard at the ground. His shoulders slumped, and suddenly, Kaidoh no longer saw the strong, independent young teen, but a child who had been forced to grow up far too fast. It was always hard to remember that underneath the bravado, Ryoma was just another street kid like him, trying to survive in Tokyo's treacherous underground. He swallowed hard. Maybe this was his chance to finally do right by Ryoma, his chance to redeem himself.

"Listen to me, Ryoma. The Queen isn't your only choice. I can help you, we can help you." He spoke earnestly, willing Ryoma to believe him. "Seishun knows I used to work for the Maiden, still do. But they still protect me."

Emotions warred inside the golden eyes, and Kaidoh could tell that the prospect of safety was tempting.

Suddenly, Ryoma yelped, hand darting to his ear, where a small black hoop earring hung. Kaidoh's eyes narrowed as he focused on the earring. There was something familiar about it...

Thinking, Kaidoh remembered where he had seen those hoops. They were on all the Shadow Queen's people, a method of finding and contacting them. The Maiden had used something like that once with bandannas.

Ryoma broke into his thoughts, "I have to go now, Kaidoh. It was nice seeing you. And thanks, but no thanks. Everyone knows that the viper only strikes when you sleep. Nice try, though." His eyes were shuttered and cold now, icy yellow instead of a deep gold.

Kaidoh flinched at the harsh tone. It was clear that he hadn't been forgiven. "She's calling you, am I right?" He said cautiously, not wanting to scare the boy away again.

Said boy looked away, and muttered, "Yeah. See you around, Serpent." He spat the last word out as he turned around and faded away, an agile figure in the city's darkness.

Inui mumbled incomprehensibly to himself as he scribbled in his notebook. It was quite interesting, that Kaidoh seemed to know this Prince, this Hell's Kitsune, so well. His data had been correct-Kaidoh had not completely let go of his criminal past.

Fuji's smiling eyes came into view as he pushed away the notebook and replaced it with his face.

"Well, Inui, what data do you have on that intriuging young man? And what is our Kaidoh's connection with him?" the soft voice bore a sharp edge-Fuji was the only one who probably had more than a good idea of what Kaidoh was and had been, and what he was doing now. The fact that he still used a possessive pronoun towards Kaidoh boded well, however.

Shaking his head, Inui said, "I have no reliable data now. I'll be sure to tell you when I've analyzed everything. Tell Tezuka that we need to meet with Sanada's team. As soon as possible."

Eiji had been standing by and heard the last part. Waving his arms frantically, he said, "B-but Inui! Sanada's team hates us! He'll get Atobe to hire hitmen to kill us!" Clearly the last conference between the two groups had left an impact on Eiji. Momoshiro voiced his agreement, eyes still lingering on the spot where Kaidoh had last been.

Hurriedly, Oishi began to assure the panicked Eiji that while Sanada's team disliked Tezuka's team, there would be no bloodshed.

Sanada paced impatiently in the Tokyo Police headquarters conference room. Where was that idiot Tezuka and his idiot team? They had said 9:00 am sharp. It was 9:15 am already and still they were not here!

The sound of the heavy metal conference door opening interrupted his mental tirade. In stepped Tezuka, followed by a traumatized-looking Eiji, a fluttering Oishi, a smiling Fuji, two very bruised junior investigators who were glaring at each other, and a shy Kawamura who very carefully closed the door and promptly stationed himself behind the whole group.

Gritting his teeth, Sanada forced himself to speak calmly.

"Well, Tezuka, you requested to see us at 9:00today?"

Glaring at his team, Tezuka said, "Yes. We need all the information you have on Prince."

Sneering, the vice commander of Sanada's team said, "And why should Ore-sama's team need to give precious information to plebians like you?"

"Why, you-!" Seishun's two junior investigators leaped forward.

Needless to say, not much was accomplished that day.

That's it, that's all I've got so far. I've started a bit of work on the next chapter and will hopefully have it up within the week. If you have any plot suggestions or corrections to make, do let me know! Shameless note: I did no background research on this whatsoever. The criminal structure of Tokyo in my story is based off of what I know (that is, American/British criminal structure) and what I want in my story. So if you have a correction based on the accuracy or plausibility of my criminal underworld, I'll take it into account but be warned: I don't care all that much. One of my old reviewers got it right: this is going to be a bit "Hollywood action". I like the feeling of a grand thrill and a heavy dose of drama.

Hope you like it! Please do review. Reading my old reviews was what gave me enough encouragement to give this story another shot; I'd really appreciate your feedback.