Part IV

He really was awful, Kaoru thought with dismay. She was back in her apartment, mulling over last night's revelations. She'd finished the heaviest book in the earliest hours of the morning, and was lying in bed, books shoved under the bed, with a cup of strong coffee and the Azure.

He'd answered one question only to leave her with a thousand more.

Why had one of her security people recognized him? Why hadn't he said anything? What the hell was going on?

No matter how many times she'd gone over the incident in her head, she couldn't make sense of it. It bothered her to no end.

God, that-that person was so smug. He'd just smirked at them all like they were stupid. Which, when it came to him, they probably were.

She was going to make mincemeat out of him when-if they ever met again.

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"Okay, spill it. You've been holding out on me."

"It was necessary."

"Stop dancing around the subject!"

"I...used to work for the government. As an assassin."

"The government has assassins?"

"It did, during the civil war period. You're probably too young to really remember- it was out in the islands. This was under Katsura's rule."

"Yeah, I kind of know what you're talking about. So, you were an assassin?"

"Yes. But, after the war ended...I quit. For a while they left me alone. I started working my way into our underground. Meting others like myself. But about two years afterwards, they started a campaign to...eliminate people like me. When Danjiro Shishio-Makoto's father- came into power. "

"Eliminate?"

"Specialized poisons in the water. They had a network of spies...they were massacring us. So I got involved. There was a fight...everyone had retreated out into the islands. We were safe there, but they sent a fleet..."

"Did you win?"

"We won. We had the advantage, since they didn't have anyone who could break through the defenses we'd set us...there were huge casualties. The government had a job and a half covering everything up. They gave up on wiping us out. It helped that I killed Danjiro soon afterwards. A new leader, one who was willing to let alone, came into power. We were safe."

"Then? You scared the life out of the security guy escorting Kaoru."

"He was a survivor of that battle. But that's not important. You know Etruskka?"

"Yeah, I know where that is. Across the ocean."

"It used to be Althahar. The place is where they think people like me came from originally. But no one stays there- they all flee. It's dangerous there. Outwardly, it seems safe, but the government is a tyranny and they are bent on amassing an army of us. Shishio works for them, but really he'll take power as soon as he can."

"Why is it so dangerous? How can you tell whose...talented...and who's not?"

"That's the problem. They are the only ones who can identify people like me. It's a secret. All babies are tested at birth. You're tested every year if you're not identified at birth. The ones with powers are taken to training camps and brainwashed into their army."

"Why do they want an army of people like you? I mean, no offense, but..."

"Numbers would overwhelm us? True. It's why most of us hide our abilities and keep a low profile. The reason Etruskka is so bent on having an army is because of the legends. There's a mountain there called the Gate of Althahar. Legend has it that if you go into a secret chamber in the mountain, and replace the treasury of Althahar, you can bring about the end of the world. Supposedly, if someone with a good heart closes the doors and replaces the Devil's Eye and the Azure of Purity, there will be peace or some other happy thing. If someone bad does it, there will be a great war between people like me and people like you. Etruskka wants that war. They want an army so they can establish people like me as the rulers of the earth."

"You don't believe it?"

"I don't know. It feels like an old folk tale, but all the artifacts mentioned in the tale are real. And they do have powers."

"So what's the point of all this?"

"The point is not whether it's real. The point is that super powerful artifacts like the Devil's Eye should not be in he hands of nutcases like Shishio and Etruskka."

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The map on the wall was full of push pins, each with a neatly folded tag labeling the location and target hanging from it. Misao's handiwork.

The four sat at the table, piles of files stacked on top of it. Misao picked up a pointer and poked the map loudly.

"Where?" She asked. "Where?"

"I'd say any of the locations nearby, but he never strikes in the same location consecutively." Kaoru said.

"Battousai doesn't, but Shishio might. This guy is messier. He'll strike nearby." Sano said.

"Then here or here." Megumi said. "The pillars they found in the Althian palace."

"White marble with big fat red jewels. Let me guess- designed by a guy." Kaoru rolled her eyes.

"It's in a vault that was closed because of cave-in risks." Misao pointed out. "Battousai can probably get in. Shishio...I don't know."

"He doesn't strike me as subtle." Megumi said. "If Shishio can't get in, then Battousai won't go either. He'll go after things he knows Shishio will go after."

"I disagree." Sano piped up. "If these two are rivals, they'll compete. Shishio will go after it just to make a point."

"I think Sano's right." Kaoru said. "Besides, it's in the middle of the woods somewhere. Security is like non-existent because the vault is so unstable."

"Let's go check it out then." Misao said. "We can try and block the entrance. How long do we have?"

"I'd say three days off hand." Megumi said. "They work fast."

"What are we waiting for, an invitation?" Kaoru asked. "Let's get going."

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"Sano? Megumi, he's out!" Kaoru yelled at the older woman who was sprawled out on the ground behind her. Hearing this, Megumi got up and moved to Sano's die, checking his vitals.

"He's just unconscious, I think." As if he'd heard her, the lanky man slowly opened his eyes.

"What the hell happened?"

"Cave-in, thanks to Shishio. We're sealed in a side chamber that's dug out into the rock, so at least we didn't get locked in the vault." Kaoru explained. "Megumi, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I didn't fall too far. Where's Misao?"

"Behind there. She's okay-she's trying to salvage our weapons."

Misao clambered over a boulder, looking around. It was a chamber the size of a small bedroom, with large rocks against the walls. The middle of the floor was empty, miraculously. Everything was orange-colored rock. She sighed, dropping gracefully to the ground.

"We lost everything. I did save the first aid kit." She said. "Everyone alright?"

"Yeah, we're good." Sano said. "How are we getting out?"

They looked around again. There were no cracks or holes that seemed viable as an escape route. Before any of them could try their hands at exploring, however, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Are you all safe?" Battousai asked, standing on the far side of the chamber and taking off his long black cloak. Laying it down on the ground, he sat down on it and leaned against the wall. He looked over at their surprised faces.

"You survived? How sad." Kaoru said.

"Don't be so mean, precious. I'll leave you here and escape myself." He replied.

"You know the way out?" Megumi asked skeptically.

"It was the first thing I looked for. But I need one of you to help me clear it out."

The four looked at each other nervously. Go over to the other side? With a thief who'd so far proven to be mysterious, intelligent, and prone to hitting on cute girls?

"You're going." Misao said. She pointed at Kaoru.

"Why is it always me who has to deal with him?" She whined. "Why can't one of you do it?"

"Because he seems to like you, and he's missed a lot of chances to get rid of you already." Megumi snapped. "Sano was unconscious, and I can't fight, and Misao is too prone to stupidity. That leaves you. Now scat!"

"Fine, fine." She held her hands in a gesture of peace and slowly strode over to where Battousai was watching.

Click! "Why the hell did you handcuff me to the wall?"

"I cannot believe you actually came over here. I thought I'd have to lie and threaten for at least an hour before you'd move an inch. Oh, and you're now my hostage."

"How am I going to help you get out if I'm handcuffed to the wall?"

"Oh, I don't really need your help- I just felt guilty abandoning you, precious. Now behave."

"Or what? What're you going to do to me?"

"Good question..." Battousai considered. "I'm going to pull your hair."

Their conversation was loud enough that the agents could hear it, and they stared blankly at the two as they sparred verbally.

"Pull...her hair?" Sano repeated. He had the sudden, insane urge to laugh crazily. "What is he, five?"

"What kind of self-respecting criminal takes a hostage, doesn't use her for leverage, ad then decides not to hurt her?" Misao demanded. "Hasn't he ever read the Criminal's Book of Conduct?"

"There's a Book of Conduct? Why hasn't anyone else mentioned this to me?" Battousai asked.

Kaoru laughed and he pulled on her ponytail.

"Hey! Stop that!"

"Make me." he replied. "I can leave the rest of them here, you know."

"What happened to your guilt?" Kaoru asked. "Are you on drugs?"

"How did we get onto the subject of drugs?" He shot back.

"Your behavior suggests insanity or drugs."

"Quiet, hostage. I'll pull your hair again."

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"Uh...chief?" Katsu, one of Sano's friends and the man in charge of making sure the people in charge got their high-security memos, went nervously into the Chief's office.

Normally Katsu was calm, straightforward, and faintly depressing. He was artsy and eccentric, but he and Sano got along very well. Still the message he had just received was so absurd it was ridiculous. And the chief did not like ridiculous.

"The team in charge of catching Battousai disappeared this morning."

"Is there news?"

"Actually, we have a ransom note. From Battousai."

"What?"

"At least, it's signed Battousai. The style doesn't seem very...professional."

"Read it."

Chief,

Sagara, Takani, Makimachi, and Kamiya are trapped in a cave-in with in. Shishio escaped, don't worry about him. If you make sure the case containing the display of black pearls at the Museum of Fine Jewelry is wet, he'll be horribly thwarted. I have taken Kamiya hostage, and may pull her hair if she really irritates me. No, I am not drugged, and I am who I say I am. Make sure there are no guards within a one mile radius of the vault and everyone will be returned with minimal damage, although Kamiya may have a headache after I finish pulling her hair. If you do as I say, a list of Shishio's next targets with ways to stop him will find its way into your hands.

-Battousai

"What the hell..." The chief said out loud. "Is this code or is this a sick joke?"

"They're looking for codes right now, but it's probably not a joke. No one knew about the team's mission except for you, me, and them."

The chief considered. If Battousai really had tem hostage, it could end badly. The man was still a complete mystery to all of them. Deciding, he turned on the intercom on his desk and pressed the appropriate button.

"Set up a one-mile perimeter around the vault." He ordered. "Do not go within a mile."

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I know it is short, but the next one should be longer. I hope. I have acquired writer's block for this one, but hopefully my creative train shall pull in at the right station next time. Wow, that metaphor sucked.

I have a one-shot called Tournament in the works right now, KK (do I write anything else?) and high school fic, oddly enough. Yay? Perhaps not.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter- I hated trying to write it.

Review please! This has been chickentyrant5.