Little Tsu: ...I wonder if there are other writers out there that are workin' on like...6-10 different incomplete stories at once...Hopefully I'm not the only one alone in the whole "keep getting ideas for new stories" bit...x.x"

Anywho, next chap of this one.

Ch: 2

Ok so good news, I finally found this Kisaragi leader's room...

Bad news...?

He's an old codger!

Sitting with my legs uncomfortably under me on a cushion that was on the floor, I tried my best to listen to everything he was telling me as far as rules that were around this place and the responsibilities I'd be having along with some other boring crap. My mind started to wander after we got to the whole 'no shoes allowed in the house' rule. If I wasn't supposed to earn this guy's trust, I woulda asked him how an old geezer like him ended up with a daughter that's only like sixteen! Was the wife young too?!

It was then that I noticed it was silent again and I pulled my attention back onto the sickly leader before me. For someone so ill, he sure could still look stern as all hell. Why do I get the feeling this'll be like dealing with a much older Tseng...?

"Now that we have covered everything, do you have any questions Sinclair?"

"Huh? Oh uh...yeah actually, I do have a few. It's about some of the people that work for you, yo."

"Questions about my subordinates?" The old man's brows knitting in that almost suspicious manner was definately a look Tseng gave me whenever he thought I caused trouble somewhere...Which was more often than I care to admit.

"Yeah. For one, what's with the damn vampire that can walk in sunlight, yo?! And two,...who's the hot ninja chick with the little heiress?"

Well, he wasn't giving me a suspicious look anymore...Now he was giving me a look as if I'd grown another head. Not that I totally don't blame him...I did just call one of his bodyguards a vampire, heh.

"Well, for one,...that 'vampire' as you so call him is Vincent Valentine as I'm sure he had already informed since you came across him. He has been one of this family's best bodyguards for seven years now. He has protected this family and especially my daughter dutifully. As for the ninja girl, I suppose you are refering to Lirin Hisagi..."

"Hm? Lirin, eh?"

The leader nodded his head once before continuing on I guess explaining things further for me. "She's skilled in taijutsu and ninja weaponry so she could be classed as such based on that and the attire she prefers to wear, but she's also an assassin just as Valentine is. However, unlike Valentine, who is in his late twenties, Hisagi is only seventeen; a year older than my daughter, Yuffie. Because of this, she is the one who stays at my daughter's side the most and assists in her training to become a skilled combatant so that she can one day take over this family...Though I admit Yuffie seems to be lacking in the knowledge that a mafia leader needs in order to run the business successfully..." He then sighed and coughed a bit before giving me a tired look. "If that is all you wish to ask then you're excused Sinclair. Go get settled into your new room and then feel free to explore a bit before dinner to get a sense on where everything is..."

"Right-o. Got it, yo." Rising up onto my feet, my legs were almost screaming at me. How the hell long was I stuck in that position?! My legs are asleep!

It was about half an hour later, but my legs were no longer asleep and I was all unpacked and settled into my new room. For a mansion that looked more like an old fashioned dojo, the rooms were pretty big and nice. The Kisaragi mafia, or should I call them yakuza, sure knew how to treat their subordinates so they were comfortable. Giving my room one last looksie to make sure all my things were put away and the stuff that I don't want anyone to find is hidden, I turned around and left my room; sliding the door closed behind me. Once slid shut, I took in a deep breath before releasing it quickly and shoved my hands into my pants pockets.

Now to take a look around and memorize where all those surveillance cams are in this place. Wonder if this place is bugged...Crap...Probably is.

As I walked around, whistling some random little tune, I was making sure to put everything I saw to memory. Rule #1 of being in my line of work, learn everything you can about where your mission'll take you and the target or targets as well. It's one of the keys to a successful mission and despite my laid back, exceedingly attractive appearance, I am totally thorough and good at my job.

While I was taking the time to figure out where each door led to, one door actually causing me to quickly close right afterwards due to a certain vampire giving me a look that could kill, I suddenly halted in my tracks as I had turned down into another hallway. Glancing around for a moment, I waited in silence before I heard it again. It was faint, but that was definately the sound of grunting and something being hit. Wondering where it was coming from, I slipped further down the hall, noticing that the sounds were getting louder. I soon found the room where the sounds were coming from and slid the door open without so much as even knocking. When I did though, I had to force every bit of control I had not to jolt as a kunai suddenly whizzed by my face a little too close for comfort and lodged itself into the edge of the door.

Standing there before me with a pissed off look on her features was none other than the cutie with the attitude. Judging from the number of kunai that was lodged within a training dummy that was in the large room and the one that barely missed me, it made me silently glad that she didn't have anymore on hand. Unfortunately for me, with the look she was giving me right now, I don't think that would matter.

Know the saying 'curiosity kill the cat'?

...Right now I'm really glad I'm not a cat or I'd already be one seriously dead kitty cat.

"The hell d'ya want? Didn' anyone ever teach ya how to freakin' knock?"

Gulping faintly at this, I managed to calm back down and decided to attempt at charming my way out of this mess...Which could go either way. Either I charm myself onto her good side despite how bad I was starting off with her...

...Or she grabs that damn naginata that I see her slowly inching towards that's on the wall behind her. Shit!

Lifting my hands up in front of me as a sign of peace, I quickly started to speak. "Woah woah. No need to get all physical here, yo. I recently got all completed with the debriefing with the old man on my responsibilities here and also unpacking in my new room. He told me to take a looksie around the place to get a feel of where everything is, yo. My being here is totally innocent." Watching her slowly lower her hand when it had been just inches away from the extremely sharp looking spear, I couldn't help but mentally sigh in relief.

Now if only she'd stop giving me the glare of death, this would be great!

"So uh...what is this room? A training area for us bodyguards? There sure are a number of different weapons along with stuff for what looks like hand to hand combat and all." It was true. there were a variety of different weapons to train with around this massive room and off to the far side, there was even a punching bag and a fight ring...Just how massive is this room to have fit that in there and still have all this room?!

"We only use most of these weapons for training in order to hone our skills..." Shifting her weight onto her right leg more as her arms crossed over her chest, she seemed to be slightly calming down around me, though I could easily tell she could probably kick my ass if I were to try anything. The thought of that fit, yet slender, curvy body being so close within reach actually caused me mentally smirk. Maybe getting my ass handed to me wouldn't be so bad if it meant the chance to cope a feel.

"...Wonder how flexible she is..."

"What was that?"

Shit! Did I just say that out loud?! Bringing my gaze back up onto her face, the look in her blue grey eyes told me all I needed to know. I had totally said that last part out loud. "Uh...I mean. Well, I was told you're this skilled ninja assassin type of girl by the old man. So that means ya gotta be pretty flexible to even perform at least half the moves ya know, right?"

"Tch...Of course I gotta be flexible. If I wasn' fit, then I wouldn' beable to protect Yuffie or Lord Kisaragi either. I'd fail as a bodyguard." She then suddenly went from glaring to almost thoughtful before a sudden look appeared in her gaze that I could really only describe as the "whoever receives it is screwed" look. "Since you're so curious,...lets just see what you're made of pretty boy. You show me that and you'll see just how good I am at what I do." With that, the girl began to head over to the ring as she leaped up over the ropes.

Thinking towards the pros and cons on this situation for only a second, I finally shrugged and walked towards the ring. "Why not? Ya only live once so I'm gonna milk it for all it's worth, yo." Climbing into the ring, I went to the corner that mirrored the one she stood in before she suddenly nodded her head once in the ok to begin. Both of us rushed in towards each other in the center of the ring and before I could strike out first, Lirin beat me to it as she whipped around and did a spin kick towards my gut. Quickly reacting, I brought my arms up in defense and caught her foot before it could impact. The split second expression on her face caused me to smirk cockily despite how I knew I'd most likely regret it later on.

...Make that 'regret it now'...

Lirin suddenly leaped up and spun again; nailing me in the side of my head with the top of her other foot. Releasing her as I was knocked to the side and into the ropes, I shook my head and rubbed where I'd gotten hit. Man, she packed a lot of power in those legs of her's and I could tell she was holding back. Gotta remind myself to be thankful for that when this little spar is over...

Getting my barings back, I pushed myself off the ropes and rushed in as I threw a punch with my left and then my right before whipping around in a spin kick of my own. Seeing that she managed to block the punches, I couldn't help but chuckle faintly to myself when I saw my kick had landed on her gut though and sent her flying backwards. The chuckle soon halted in my throat though as she backflipped in midair and landed on the ropes in a squat. Well, damn...Hm? Glancing at her stance, I blinked slightly as I realized that her pale blue wild striped panties were on show thanks to that short ninja attire of hers. Smirking faintly at this, my teal eyes narrowed as I let out a low wolf whistle. "Stripes, eh? Didn't know ya were the kinda girl that liked patterns, yo."

That instantly caused her to flush at my words and at realizing what I had seen, but when her eyes narrowed fiercely, I knew I was in for it now. Not that I'd regret it this time. The sight had definately been worth it.

As the sparring continued with both of us taking blow for blow from each other, I didn't even realize over an hour had passed till we were both sitting on the floor of the ring and panting lightly to catch our breath. Drifting my gaze towards the clock, I saw that it was probably almost time for dinner; I'm not sure when dinner is around this place. Chuckling softly to myself, I drifted my slightly exhausted gaze towards the younger girl and smiled a bit rather than my usual cocky or charming smirk. "Well, I definately know how flexible ya get be now. You're seriously one tough chick. Remind me never to doubt ya in the future when we run into any trouble and I start to think ya need help, yo."

"Ya even think I need assistance durin' fights against other groups or hired mercenaries, and you'll need to worry more about me kickin' your sorry ass into next week than the enemy."

Sweatdropping slightly at her response, I chuckled softly in a nervous manner before lifting my hands up a bit in a show of peace once again. "Hey, no worries here, yo. Ya totally proved that you can kick my ass or anyone elses just fine. I'd rather get on your good side and stay there, yo. After all, I hate it when a beautiful girl is pissed at me, heh." Despite the glare she sent my way on my last comment, I still figured it was worth it cause there was still a very faint blush that appeared on her cheeks as well. Watching her release a stubborn huff before rising up onto her feet, I remained where I was for a bit longer as she leaped out of the ring and headed for the exit.

As she got there and slid the door open, she halted for a moment and glanced over at me out of the corners of her eyes. "...Ya were pretty good yourself Sinclair...You're tougher than ya look..." With that, she stepped out and slid the door closed behind her.

Sighing softly, I fell back to lay there on my back as I stared up lazily at the ceiling. This mission was gonna be a challenge with a girl like her here, but I don't think it was anything I couldn't handle. I had to admit though...

...I needed to be careful around that Lirin chick or I'd find myself getting into something deep that I didn't think I'd beable to get out of...

To be continued.

Little Tsu: Ok so yeah. That's the 2nd chap of this one. Hope ya liked it. Review ta lemme know what ya think. Thanks a bunch.